Dufour 44 vs 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 — Comparison
Dufour 44
2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 44 | 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2002–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.08 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 44 and 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 44 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Dufour 44 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the Dufour 44 measures 13.20m (43.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 at 13.10m (43.0ft) with a 4.08m beam. The Dufour 44 is 0.10m longer than the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 3% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of sail area. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43, with an SA/D of 18.05 and 78.0 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 Dufour 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 31.6% for the Dufour 44 and 32.6% for the 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 44 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2002 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 150L 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.