The Dufour Yachts 37 2022 vs Dufour Yachts 4800 1982 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Dufour Yachts 37 2022 at 35,3 ft versus Dufour Yachts 4800 1982 at 34,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Dufour Yachts 37 2022 tips the scales at 14 875 lbs — 4 293 lbs more than the Dufour Yachts 4800 1982 at 10 582 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 — 19 hp for the Dufour Yachts 37 2022 and 28 hp for the Dufour Yachts 4800 1982. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Dufour Yachts 37 2022 carries 42 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Dufour Yachts 4800 1982. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 10 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Dufour Yachts 37 2022 displaces 14 875 lbs — a 4 293-lb difference over the Dufour Yachts 4800 1982 at 10 582 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 — 6,2 ft and 6,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Dufour Yachts 37 2022 is rigged as a Fractional Sloop while the Dufour Yachts 4800 1982 carries Sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. For auxiliary power the Dufour Yachts 4800 1982 carries a 28-hp engine against 19 hp on the Dufour Yachts 37 2022. 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 4800 1982 carries 69 gallons versus 48 gallons on the Dufour Yachts 37 2022 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Dufour Yachts 37 2022 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 14 875 lbs displacement and 35 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Dufour Yachts 4800 1982 at 10 582 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.