2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large vs 1988 Najad 331 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large | 1988 Najad 331 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Najad |
| Year | 2018–2022 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.55 m (31.3 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.18 m (10.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,900 kg (13,007 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large and 1988 Najad 331 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 1988 Najad 331 is a 1980s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1988 Najad 331 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 1988 Najad 331 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.18m beam. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large is 0.24m longer than the 1988 Najad 331. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large displaces approximately 20% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.58 and 56.5 m² of sail area. The 1988 Najad 331, with an SA/D of 15.15 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1988 Najad 331 has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 28.8% for the 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large and 40.8% for the 1988 Najad 331, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 1988 Najad 331 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 140L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Najad 331 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 2018 Dufour 360 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 2018 Dufour 360 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: 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large · 1988 Najad 331