Dufour 45E vs 1983 Freedom 36 — Comparison
Dufour 45E
1983 Freedom 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | 1983 Freedom 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Freedom |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 49.0 m² (527 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 190 L (50.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and 1983 Freedom 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1983 Freedom 36 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1983 Freedom 36 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 1983 Freedom 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The Dufour 45E is 2.83m longer than the 1983 Freedom 36. The Dufour 45E displaces approximately 71% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 45E has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.64 and 88.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Freedom 36, with an SA/D of 14.88 and 49.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Dufour 45E has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 45E offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1983 Freedom 36 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 37.0% for the 1983 Freedom 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 45E provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1983 Freedom 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 190L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Freedom 36 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 45E 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 45E 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 45E · 1983 Freedom 36