Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2017 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 0.60m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 36 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 Classic 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 Dufour 36 Classic 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Dufour 36 Classic