2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large vs 2017 Leopard 40 — Comparison
2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large
2017 Leopard 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large | 2017 Leopard 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Leopard |
| Year | 2018–2022 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Catamaran |
| Country | France | South Africa |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.55 m (31.3 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 6.56 m (21.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.12 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,900 kg (13,007 lbs) | 8,400 kg (18,519 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large and 2017 Leopard 40 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 2017 Leopard 40 is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2017 Leopard 40 was designed by Simonis Voogd.
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 2017 Leopard 40 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 6.56m beam. The 2017 Leopard 40 is 1.43m longer than the 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large. The 2017 Leopard 40 displaces approximately 42% 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 2017 Leopard 40, with an SA/D of 17.21 and 70.0 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 2017 Leopard 40 has a comfort ratio of 8.4 and a capsize screening value of 1.29. The ballast ratios are 28.8% for the 2018 Dufour 360 Grand Large and 0.0% for the 2017 Leopard 40, 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 2017 Leopard 40 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L water and 340L 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 2017 Leopard 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.