Dufour 40 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 40 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 40 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 40 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Dufour 40 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2015 Elan 450 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 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 1.80m longer than the Dufour 40. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 38% 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 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 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 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Dufour 40 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, 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 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 2015 Elan 450 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 · 2015 Elan 450