Dufour 44 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 44 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 44 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 44 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Dufour 44 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Dufour 44 measures 13.20m (43.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 0.65m longer than the Dufour 44. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 14% 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 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 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 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 31.6% for the Dufour 44 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, 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 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 44 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 2015 Elan 450 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 · 2015 Elan 450