Dufour 45E vs Dufour 470 — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Dufour 470
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | Dufour 470 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Dufour |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 440 L (116.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and Dufour 470 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Dufour 470 is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The Dufour 470 was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the Dufour 470 at 14.23m (46.7ft) with a 4.39m beam. The Dufour 470 is 0.43m longer than the Dufour 45E. The Dufour 470 displaces approximately 7% 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 Dufour 470, with an SA/D of 19.07 and 94.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 470 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 Dufour 470 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 31.3% for the Dufour 470, 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 Dufour 470 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L water and 220L 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 Dufour 470 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 470 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 · Dufour 470