1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.37 m (14.3 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.3 m² (951 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 was penned by Groupe Finot. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 measures 14.02m (46.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.37m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is 0.82m longer than the Dufour 44. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.77 and 88.3 m² of sail area. The Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.0% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Dufour 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 44 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 44 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.