Dufour 45E vs Hunter 450 — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Hunter 450
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | Hunter 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 341 L (90.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and Hunter 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 450 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 450 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the Hunter 450 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.27m beam. The Dufour 45E is 0.08m longer than the Hunter 450. The Hunter 450 displaces approximately 4% 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 Hunter 450, with an SA/D of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Hunter 450 has a comfort ratio of 15.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 37.5% for the Hunter 450, 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 Hunter 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L water and 189L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 450 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.