Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Dufour 45E — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Dufour 45E |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2017 | 2008–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Dufour 45E represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 45E is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Dufour 45E was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Dufour 45E at 13.80m (45.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Dufour 45E is 2.30m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The Dufour 45E displaces approximately 47% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Dufour 45E, with an SA/D of 18.64 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 45E has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 30.5% for the Dufour 45E, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Dufour 45E offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Dufour 45E