Dufour 36 Classic vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 2.95m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 74% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 36 Classic has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 36 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 36 Classic provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 Classic 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 2015 Elan 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2015 Elan 450 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 36 Classic · 2015 Elan 450