Dufour 45E vs 2005 Najad 460 — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | 2005 Najad 460 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Najad |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 2005–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 97.0 m² (1,044 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 320 L (84.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 560 L (147.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and 2005 Najad 460 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2005 Najad 460 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2005 Najad 460 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 2005 Najad 460 at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2005 Najad 460 is 0.30m longer than the Dufour 45E. The 2005 Najad 460 displaces approximately 29% 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 2005 Najad 460, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 97.0 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 2005 Najad 460 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 38.5% for the 2005 Najad 460, 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 2005 Najad 460 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 560L water and 320L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Najad 460 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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Or view individual specs: Dufour 45E · 2005 Najad 460