CliveA
New Member
Forgive the slightly vague question, but prior to a more detailled look at specific models between 35-40ft, any general opinions on any difference in quality between Beneteau and Dufour?
Beneteau vs. Dufour?
- Thread starter CliveA
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Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Define what you mean by quality. Sailing qualities? Build quality? Live-aboard quality?
BTW there are two sorts of Bennies, the Oceanis cruisy boats and the .7 racy boats. There quite different one from t'other.
BTW there are two sorts of Bennies, the Oceanis cruisy boats and the .7 racy boats. There quite different one from t'other.
[ QUOTE ]
BTW there are two sorts of Bennies, the Oceanis cruisy boats and the .7 racy boats.
[/ QUOTE ]
This year there is a 3rd, the Cyclades range.
BTW there are two sorts of Bennies, the Oceanis cruisy boats and the .7 racy boats.
[/ QUOTE ]
This year there is a 3rd, the Cyclades range.
CliveA
New Member
Fair enough, Ken.
Looking at cruising yachts.
Priorities are probably a combination of everything - durability, ease of sailing, likelihood of developing problems.
I do appreciate I'm being non-specific, but wanted to guage an opinion about which brand is more highly thought-of, as a general point of interest. I know this is no subsitute for checking the models out in detail.
Ta.
Looking at cruising yachts.
Priorities are probably a combination of everything - durability, ease of sailing, likelihood of developing problems.
I do appreciate I'm being non-specific, but wanted to guage an opinion about which brand is more highly thought-of, as a general point of interest. I know this is no subsitute for checking the models out in detail.
Ta.
Talulah
Well-Known Member
I've looked at both but only sailed on the Bennies, not the Dufours. Build quality felt the same to me. Depends if we are talking new or secondhand. Dufours seem to have improved a lot over recent years but I also feel they are overpriced. The wife likes the Bennies providing it comes with a blue interior. We have decided to buy a new Benneteau at Southampton Boat Show this September providing the deals are good.
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
"durability, ease of sailing, likelihood of developing problems. "
This advice is free, and is worth what you paid for it!
Benny has been supplying the big charter fleets (demanding customers) for donkey's years, and has almost certainly had more chance to iron out the wrinkles than Duffer has. OTOH Duffes seem to be more expensive lb for lb, so maybe have more built-in quality in the first place. I crawled over a Duffer (34 I think) at SBS last year, and it seemed a step further up the quality ladder than the Bennies I know.
This advice is free, and is worth what you paid for it!
Benny has been supplying the big charter fleets (demanding customers) for donkey's years, and has almost certainly had more chance to iron out the wrinkles than Duffer has. OTOH Duffes seem to be more expensive lb for lb, so maybe have more built-in quality in the first place. I crawled over a Duffer (34 I think) at SBS last year, and it seemed a step further up the quality ladder than the Bennies I know.
watermark
New Member
We've had our Beneteau 33.7 since 2000 which we bought as a three year old. She has only been cruised and only has the basic white sails plus a spinnaker we added.
She has been an absolute delight for family cruising with 3 daughters (now 8, 12 and 14) and a dog. The design is light spacious and still modern, she sails like the wind and as a racing design is very stiff which helps with the family.
The build quality is fine, but the joinery is not rolls royce, being machine manufactured but overall I would really recommend the .7 range for cruising.
The Oceanis we had before had a short keel and so while "comfier" below decks was much less enjoyable to sail and really suffered when it was windy from the combination of a high volume hull and short keel.
The new Dufours do look great though, especially the 40 which looks "right" I am less convinced by the smaller ones but haven't any knowledge to judge them by.
She has been an absolute delight for family cruising with 3 daughters (now 8, 12 and 14) and a dog. The design is light spacious and still modern, she sails like the wind and as a racing design is very stiff which helps with the family.
The build quality is fine, but the joinery is not rolls royce, being machine manufactured but overall I would really recommend the .7 range for cruising.
The Oceanis we had before had a short keel and so while "comfier" below decks was much less enjoyable to sail and really suffered when it was windy from the combination of a high volume hull and short keel.
The new Dufours do look great though, especially the 40 which looks "right" I am less convinced by the smaller ones but haven't any knowledge to judge them by.
CliveA
New Member
Thanks very much for opinions guys. Much appreciated.
Any further ramblings - Feel free.
Cheers,
Clive
Any further ramblings - Feel free.
Cheers,
Clive
Birdseye
Well-Known Member
I wonder where you would place the Feelings in this comparison. Had a look at one recently and was quite impressed - bulkheads and furniture laminated to the hull (as opposed to the Benny glued inner moulding that has allegedly given trouble). Might sound like heresy to some people but the standard of construction and the solid joinery reminded me of Westerly, albeit lighter.
kidnapped
Well-Known Member
Talulah, you're going to notice a difference on moving from the Najad to the Ben. I did the opposite and find life a lot more comfortable, especially in short seas and life 'furth of the Solent'. I know mine's for sale but I know which side of the 'heavy v light' arguement I'm on.
kidnapped
Well-Known Member
I had an Oceanis and have done a delivery trip, Portsmouth to Chichester, on a Dufour 44. Sailing characteristics quite different, the Dufour flew, very stable, almost got one slam the whole way[20>30+kts] until in Solent when all went quiet and she slipped along v. well. Dufour now part of Grand Soleil, have you noticed the similarity with new GS and D40/44??
Spacewaist
Well-Known Member
Have chartered Beneteaus from time to time and can't add much to what is said about them here. You get what you pay for from a design that is well tried and tested.
Happened to charter a Duffer 38 for the first time recently (from Hamble Point Yacht Charters - another first experience and an excellent operation) and really was impressed with the boat - not only her performance - she was very quick (although there was PLENTY wind) - but also the quality of the finish. The only complaint I had was that I didnt think there was enough the storage capacity for a boat that was begging to be taken LT cruising.
I confess I am used to heavier displacement/more expensive boats but I really didnt miss the extra weight. Suggest you try sailing one.
Happened to charter a Duffer 38 for the first time recently (from Hamble Point Yacht Charters - another first experience and an excellent operation) and really was impressed with the boat - not only her performance - she was very quick (although there was PLENTY wind) - but also the quality of the finish. The only complaint I had was that I didnt think there was enough the storage capacity for a boat that was begging to be taken LT cruising.
I confess I am used to heavier displacement/more expensive boats but I really didnt miss the extra weight. Suggest you try sailing one.
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