Dufour 460 Grand Large vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Dufour 460 Grand Large
2015 Elan 450
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 460 Grand Large | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 2016–2020 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.15 m (46.4 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 12.65 m (41.5 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,400 kg (7,496 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 430 L (113.6 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 460 Grand Large and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 460 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Dufour 460 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Dufour 460 Grand Large measures 14.15m (46.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The Dufour 460 Grand Large is 0.30m longer than the 2015 Elan 450. The Dufour 460 Grand Large displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 460 Grand Large has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.89 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 460 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Dufour 460 Grand Large and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 460 Grand Large provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 430L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2015 Elan 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 2015 Elan 450 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 460 Grand Large offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.