The Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 vs Dufour Yachts 42 1985 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 42 1985 at 42,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 tips the scales at 16 976 lbs — 441 lbs more than the Dufour Yachts 42 1985 at 16 535 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 43 hp for the Dufour Yachts 42 1985. 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 390 Grand Large 2018 carries 53 gallons versus 42 gallons in the Dufour Yachts 42 1985. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Dufour Yachts 42 1985 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 42 1985 could be the deciding factor.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 16 976 lbs for the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 and 16 535 lbs for the Dufour Yachts 42 1985. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Dufour Yachts 42 1985 draws 7,6 ft, compared to 6,5 ft for the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018. That 1,1-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 390 Grand Large 2018 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018 uses a 2 wheels versus a 1 wheel on the Dufour Yachts 42 1985. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones.

Hull speed is rated at 8,0 knots for the Dufour Yachts 42 1985 and 7,9 knots for the Dufour Yachts 390 Grand Large 2018.