Beneteau First 44.7 vs Dufour 45E — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | Dufour 45E |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2008–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and Dufour 45E represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 45E is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Dufour 45E was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the Dufour 45E at 13.80m (45.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Dufour 45E is 0.32m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The Dufour 45E displaces approximately 14% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 44.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 45E, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 44.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 44.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Dufour 45E has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 30.5% for the Dufour 45E, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 44.7 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Dufour 45E offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 45E is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Beneteau First 44.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 44.7 · Dufour 45E