Dufour 40 vs 1998 Feeling 44 — Comparison
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 40 | 1998 Feeling 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Feeling |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 1998–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 40 and 1998 Feeling 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 40 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Dufour 40 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1998 Feeling 44 was designed by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios.
In terms of size, the Dufour 40 measures 12.05m (39.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the 1998 Feeling 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 1998 Feeling 44 is 1.36m longer than the Dufour 40. The 1998 Feeling 44 displaces approximately 35% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of sail area. The 1998 Feeling 44, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 82.0 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 Dufour 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1998 Feeling 44 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Dufour 40 and 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 160L of fuel. The 1998 Feeling 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Feeling 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 40 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.
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Or view individual specs: Dufour 40 · 1998 Feeling 44