Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2016 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 measures 10.34m (33.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.39m, compared to the Dufour 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.19m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 37% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 385 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Dufour 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Dufour 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 385 Grand Large is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 · Dufour 385 Grand Large