Dufour 45E vs 2015 ClubSwan 36 — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 45E | 2015 ClubSwan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2008–2011 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Juan Kouyoumdjian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 3.30 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 4 |
| Cabins | 3 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 45E and 2015 ClubSwan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 45E is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2015 ClubSwan 36 is a modern offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Dufour 45E was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian.
In terms of size, the Dufour 45E measures 13.80m (45.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 2015 ClubSwan 36 at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.30m beam. The Dufour 45E is 2.80m longer than the 2015 ClubSwan 36. The Dufour 45E displaces approximately 119% 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 2015 ClubSwan 36, with an SA/D of 23.21 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.5% for the Dufour 45E and 35.4% for the 2015 ClubSwan 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 45E 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 ClubSwan 36 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 · 2015 ClubSwan 36