Dufour 40 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
Dufour 40
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 40 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Oyster |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 40 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 40 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The Dufour 40 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Dufour 40 measures 12.05m (39.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 is 1.97m longer than the Dufour 40. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 60% 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 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Dufour 40 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, 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 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 46 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: Dufour 40 · 2004 Oyster 46