Dufour 40 vs 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 — Comparison
Dufour 40
2013 Beneteau Figaro 3
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 40 | 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 3,450 kg (7,606 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 2 |
| Cabins | 3 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 40 and 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 40 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The Dufour 40 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 was designed by VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost.
In terms of size, the Dufour 40 measures 12.05m (39.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 at 10.10m (33.1ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Dufour 40 is 1.95m longer than the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3. The Dufour 40 displaces approximately 126% 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, with an SA/D of 28.93 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 has a comfort ratio of 11.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.90. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Dufour 40 and 43.5% for the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 offers 2 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 40 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 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 · 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3