Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Dufour 460 Grand Large — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Dufour 460 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2017 | 2016–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 14.15 m (46.4 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 12.65 m (41.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,400 kg (7,496 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 430 L (113.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 10 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Dufour 460 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 460 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Dufour 460 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
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 460 Grand Large at 14.15m (46.4ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Dufour 460 Grand Large is 2.65m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The Dufour 460 Grand Large displaces approximately 54% 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 460 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 18.89 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 460 Grand Large 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 460 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 30.9% for the Dufour 460 Grand Large, 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 460 Grand Large offers 10 berths in 3 cabins with 430L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 460 Grand Large has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 460 Grand Large offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Dufour 460 Grand Large