Dufour 45E vs 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 13.94 m (45.7 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 10,100 kg (22,267 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 330 L (87.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 at 13.94m (45.7ft) with a 4.49m beam. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 is 0.14m longer than the Dufour 45E. The Dufour 45E displaces approximately 4% 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45, with an SA/D of 19.13 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 has a comfort ratio of 12.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 30.7% for the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45, 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 330L water and 180L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 45E 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 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 · 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45