Dufour 45E vs 2002 Najad 440 — Comparison
Dufour 45E
2002 Najad 440
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | 2002 Najad 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Najad |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 2002–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and 2002 Najad 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2002 Najad 440 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2002 Najad 440 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 2002 Najad 440 at 13.50m (44.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 45E is 0.30m longer than the 2002 Najad 440. The 2002 Najad 440 displaces approximately 10% 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 2002 Najad 440, with an SA/D of 17.55 and 88.0 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 2002 Najad 440 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 39.1% for the 2002 Najad 440, 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 2002 Najad 440 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2002 Najad 440 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.