2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 2018–2022 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.55 m (31.3 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,900 kg (13,007 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
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 Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large is 2.45m longer than the Hunter 260. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large displaces approximately 189% 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 Hunter 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 28.8% for the 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, 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 Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L 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 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.