Dufour 44 vs 1996 Moody 45 — Comparison
Dufour 44
1996 Moody 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 44 | 1996 Moody 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Moody |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 1996–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.22 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 44 and 1996 Moody 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 44 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1996 Moody 45 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The Dufour 44 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1996 Moody 45 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the Dufour 44 measures 13.20m (43.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 1996 Moody 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.22m beam. The 1996 Moody 45 is 0.52m longer than the Dufour 44. The 1996 Moody 45 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of sail area. The 1996 Moody 45, with an SA/D of 16.03 and 85.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1996 Moody 45 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.6% for the Dufour 44 and 39.2% for the 1996 Moody 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 44 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1996 Moody 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Moody 45 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 Dufour 44 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.
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Or view individual specs: Dufour 44 · 1996 Moody 45