1997 Moody 38 vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Moody 38 | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Moody | Dufour |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | France |
| Designer | Bill Dixon | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 59.8 m² (644 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Moody 38 and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Moody 38 is a 1990s design by Moody from UK, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1997 Moody 38 was penned by Bill Dixon. The Dufour 40 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1997 Moody 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Dufour 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Dufour 40 is 0.47m longer than the 1997 Moody 38. The 1997 Moody 38 displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Moody 38 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.98 and 59.8 m² of sail area. The Dufour 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Moody 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The Dufour 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the 1997 Moody 38 and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Moody 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Dufour 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Moody 38 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 40 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 40 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: 1997 Moody 38 · Dufour 40