1963 Cal 40 vs Dufour 45E — Comparison
1963 Cal 40
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1963 Cal 40 | Dufour 45E |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cal | Dufour |
| Year | 1963–1972 | 2008–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Bill Lapworth | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.3 m² (660 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1963 Cal 40 and Dufour 45E represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1963 Cal 40 is a classic design by Cal from USA, while the Dufour 45E is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1963 Cal 40 was penned by Bill Lapworth. The Dufour 45E was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1963 Cal 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the Dufour 45E at 13.80m (45.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Dufour 45E is 1.61m longer than the 1963 Cal 40. The Dufour 45E displaces approximately 49% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1963 Cal 40 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.97 and 61.3 m² of sail area. The Dufour 45E, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 88.0 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 1963 Cal 40 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Dufour 45E has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the 1963 Cal 40 and 30.5% for the Dufour 45E, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1963 Cal 40 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Dufour 45E offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1963 Cal 40 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: 1963 Cal 40 · Dufour 45E