2013 Beneteau Sense 50 vs Dufour 470 — Comparison
2013 Beneteau Sense 50
Dufour 470
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 | Dufour 470 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2013–2018 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.42 m (50.6 ft) | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) |
| LWL | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.70 m (15.4 ft) | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 440 L (116.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 and Dufour 470 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 470 is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The Dufour 470 was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 measures 15.42m (50.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.70m, compared to the Dufour 470 at 14.23m (46.7ft) with a 4.39m beam. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 is 1.19m longer than the Dufour 470. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.36 and 105.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 470, with an SA/D of 19.07 and 94.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 470 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Dufour 470 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 28.6% for the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 and 31.3% for the Dufour 470, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Dufour 470 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L water and 220L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 470 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 470 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.