Dufour 45E vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II at 13.15m (43.1ft) with a 4.05m beam. The Dufour 45E is 0.65m longer than the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, with an SA/D of 16.75 and 84.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has a comfort ratio of 20.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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: The Dufour 45E 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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