Dufour 45E vs 2007 Moody 46 — Comparison
Dufour 45E
2007 Moody 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | 2007 Moody 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Moody |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 2007–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 13.95 m (45.8 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.89 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and 2007 Moody 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2007 Moody 46 is a 2000s offering from Moody from Germany. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2007 Moody 46 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 2007 Moody 46 at 13.95m (45.8ft) with a 4.49m beam. The 2007 Moody 46 is 0.15m longer than the Dufour 45E. The 2007 Moody 46 displaces approximately 38% 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 2007 Moody 46, with an SA/D of 16.40 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 2007 Moody 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 35.9% for the 2007 Moody 46, 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 2007 Moody 46 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2007 Moody 46 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.