Dufour 470 vs 2014 Amel 55 — Comparison
Dufour 470
2014 Amel 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 470 | 2014 Amel 55 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Amel |
| Year | 2018 | 2014–2021 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Olivier Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) |
| Beam | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) | 4.75 m (15.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 19,500 kg (42,990 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 580 L (153.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 440 L (116.2 gal) | 780 L (206.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 470 and 2014 Amel 55 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 470 is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 2014 Amel 55 is a modern offering from Amel from France. The Dufour 470 was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 2014 Amel 55 was designed by Olivier Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the Dufour 470 measures 14.23m (46.7ft) overall with a beam of 4.39m, compared to the 2014 Amel 55 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.75m beam. The 2014 Amel 55 is 2.57m longer than the Dufour 470. The 2014 Amel 55 displaces approximately 74% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 470 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.07 and 94.0 m² of sail area. The 2014 Amel 55, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 470 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 470 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 2014 Amel 55 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Dufour 470 and 34.9% for the 2014 Amel 55, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 470 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L of water capacity and 220L of fuel. The 2014 Amel 55 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 780L water and 580L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2014 Amel 55 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 470 · 2014 Amel 55