2006 Najad 505 vs Dufour 470 — Comparison
2006 Najad 505
Dufour 470
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2006 Najad 505 | Dufour 470 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Najad | Dufour |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | France |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.55 m (51.0 ft) | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) |
| LWL | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.50 m (14.8 ft) | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,500 kg (34,172 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 440 L (116.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2006 Najad 505 and Dufour 470 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2006 Najad 505 is a 2000s design by Najad from Sweden, while the Dufour 470 is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 2006 Najad 505 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The Dufour 470 was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 2006 Najad 505 measures 15.55m (51.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.50m, compared to the Dufour 470 at 14.23m (46.7ft) with a 4.39m beam. The 2006 Najad 505 is 1.32m longer than the Dufour 470. The 2006 Najad 505 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2006 Najad 505 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.65 and 108.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 470, with an SA/D of 19.07 and 94.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 470 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2006 Najad 505 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Dufour 470 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 37.4% for the 2006 Najad 505 and 31.3% for the Dufour 470, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2006 Najad 505 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 350L of fuel. The Dufour 470 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L water and 220L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2006 Najad 505 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 470 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 470 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.