The Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 vs Dufour Yachts 412 Grand Large 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 at 39,2 ft versus Dufour Yachts 412 Grand Large 2016 at 40,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Dufour Yachts 412 Grand Large 2016 tips the scales at 19 709 lbs — 2 733 lbs less than the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 at 16 976 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 — 40 hp for the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 and 40 hp for the Dufour Yachts 412 Grand Large 2016. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 53 gal and 53 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Dufour Yachts 412 Grand Large 2016 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 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 412 Grand Large 2016 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Dufour Yachts 412 Grand Large 2016 displaces 19 709 lbs — a 2 733-lb difference over the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 at 16 976 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 — 6,5 ft and 6,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 8,1 knots for the Dufour Yachts 412 Grand Large 2016 and 7,9 knots for the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018.
Bottom line: The Dufour Yachts 412 Grand Large 2016 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 19 709 lbs displacement and 41 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 at 16 976 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.