Dufour 470 vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
Dufour 470
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 470 | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Cal |
| Year | 2018 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 440 L (116.2 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 470 and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 470 is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Dufour 470 was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Dufour 470 measures 14.23m (46.7ft) overall with a beam of 4.39m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Dufour 470 is 2.34m longer than the 1979 Cal 39. The Dufour 470 displaces approximately 37% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 470 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.07 and 94.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 470 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 470 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Dufour 470 and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 470 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L of water capacity and 220L of fuel. The 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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: The Dufour 470 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 470 · 1979 Cal 39