The Dufour Yachts 42 1985 vs Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015 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 42 1985 measures 42,2 feet overall (1985), giving it roughly 19,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015 at 23,0 feet (2015). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Dufour Yachts 42 1985 tips the scales at 16 535 lbs — 14 617 lbs more than the Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015 at 1 918 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 Dufour Yachts 42 1985 carries a rated maximum of 43 hp. Engine data for the Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
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 Drakkar 24 2015 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 42 1985 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Dufour Yachts 42 1985 displaces 16 535 lbs — a 14 617-lb difference over the Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015 at 1 918 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 42 1985 draws 7,6 ft, compared to 4,1 ft for the Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015. That 3,5-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 42 1985 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Dufour Yachts 42 1985 uses a 1 wheel versus a 1 tiller on the Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The Dufour Yachts 42 1985 has a documented auxiliary engine of 43 hp.
The Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015 is trailerable — a genuine advantage for sailors who prefer to keep their boat at home or explore multiple sailing venues. Hull speed is rated at 8,0 knots for the Dufour Yachts 42 1985 and 6,3 knots for the Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015.
Bottom line: The Dufour Yachts 42 1985 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 16 535 lbs displacement and 42 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Dufour Yachts Drakkar 24 2015 at 1 918 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.