Dufour 44 vs 2003 Dehler 42 DS — Comparison
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 44 | 2003 Dehler 42 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Dehler |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) |
| LWL | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 8,800 kg (19,401 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 44 and 2003 Dehler 42 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 44 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2003 Dehler 42 DS is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The Dufour 44 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Dufour 44 measures 13.20m (43.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 2003 Dehler 42 DS at 12.77m (41.9ft) with a 3.93m beam. The Dufour 44 is 0.43m longer than the 2003 Dehler 42 DS. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 8% 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.6% for the Dufour 44 and 34.1% for the 2003 Dehler 42 DS, 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 44 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Dufour 44 · 2003 Dehler 42 DS