The Dufour Yachts 1800 1979 vs Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 measures 32,0 feet overall (2021), giving it roughly 7,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Dufour Yachts 1800 1979 at 24,1 feet (1979). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 tips the scales at 10 802 lbs — 5 401 lbs less than the Dufour Yachts 1800 1979 at 5 401 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 8 hp for the Dufour Yachts 1800 1979 and 15 hp for the Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Dufour Yachts 1800 1979 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 displaces 10 802 lbs — a 5 401-lb difference over the Dufour Yachts 1800 1979 at 5 401 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 draws 6,2 ft, compared to 4,4 ft for the Dufour Yachts 1800 1979. That 1,8-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Dufour Yachts 1800 1979 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 carries a 15-hp engine against 8 hp on the Dufour Yachts 1800 1979. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 carries 48 gallons versus 25 gallons on the Dufour Yachts 1800 1979 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Dufour Yachts 310 Grand Large 2021 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 10 802 lbs displacement and 32 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Dufour Yachts 1800 1979 at 5 401 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.