2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2018–2022 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.55 m (31.3 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,900 kg (13,007 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
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 Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large is 2.11m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large displaces approximately 146% 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 Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 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 Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 28.8% for the 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, 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 Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2018 Dufour 360 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 First 27 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 · Beneteau First 27