Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2018 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 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 | 420 L (111.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The Dufour 40 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 measures 14.60m (47.9ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the Dufour 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is 2.55m longer than the Dufour 40. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 displaces approximately 41% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.10 and 93.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Dufour 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Dufour 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 40 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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: Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 · Dufour 40