The Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012 vs Dufour Yachts 56 2016 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 56 2016 measures 56,4 feet overall (2016), giving it roughly 20,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012 at 36,1 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Dufour Yachts 56 2016 tips the scales at 38 856 lbs — 25 353 lbs less than the Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012 at 13 503 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Dufour Yachts 56 2016 has a 121-hp advantage over the Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012's 29-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Dufour Yachts 56 2016 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Dufour Yachts 56 2016 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Dufour Yachts 56 2016 displaces 38 856 lbs — a 25 353-lb difference over the Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012 at 13 503 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.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 7,2 ft and 8,2 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Dufour Yachts 56 2016 carries a 150-hp engine against 29 hp on the Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 9,5 knots for the Dufour Yachts 56 2016 and 7,8 knots for the Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Dufour Yachts 56 2016 carries 180 gallons versus 58 gallons on the Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Dufour Yachts 56 2016 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 38 856 lbs displacement and 56 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Dufour Yachts 36 Performance 2012 at 13 503 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.