Dufour 45E vs 1998 Feeling 44 — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | 1998 Feeling 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Feeling |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 1998–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 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 | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and 1998 Feeling 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1998 Feeling 44 was designed by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 1998 Feeling 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 45E is 0.39m longer than the 1998 Feeling 44.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 45E has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.64 and 88.0 m² of sail area. The 1998 Feeling 44, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 45E has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 45E offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1998 Feeling 44 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 45E provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1998 Feeling 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Feeling 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 Dufour 45E 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 45E · 1998 Feeling 44