Big Cruisers, Big Choices
Mid-40-footers offer a lot: Speed, space, and power. See how they shine in various models-from racer/cruiser to bluewater cruiser to luxury for liveaboards
by Dave Gardner, Tom Linskey, Charles Mason, and Bill Springer
Photo at right: Left to right, the Beneteau Oceanis 461,Hunter 450 Passage, Dufour 45 Classic, and Catalina 470 reach out into the Gulf Stream off Miami in freshening breezes
When we selected our test fleet of mid-40-footers, we and SAIL's Rallyists expected a lot. We knew we'd get long waterlines and large sail areas for speed, lots of space for accommodations, and big-boat luxury -commodious staterooms, practical galleys, and more-than-usual electrical power via gensets and inverters.
What we didn't expect, though, was how targeted, in terms of design objectives and execution, each boat would be. Perhaps it comes with the territory: The options opened up by the size and increased capabilities of mid-40-foot boats allow builders to create anything from the ultimate liveaboard home to a bluewater-capable cruiser to a racer/cruiser that's ready for offshore work. What's your flavor?
During four days of test-sailing the boats last February, SAIL's Rallyists enjoyed an exceptional range of conditions on Florida's Biscayne Bay and the coastal waters off Miami-both spinnaker sailing in light air and beating up Biscayne Bay after a frontal passage in 20-knot northwesterlies that gusted regularly to over 25.The Rallyists brought a valuable range of experience and energy to the task of finding out what worked and what might be improved.
The test team
Jack and Elfie Boonstra live in Farmington, New York, and own a 40-foot ketch in which they completed a two year cruise of the East Coast of the United States and the Bahamas.
Christine and Dave Eggleston live in Cupertino, California. Dave has been sailing for over 20 years and has owned a number of boats. They now sail their center-cockpit Freedom 45 on San Francisco Bay.
Anne and Roger Howell come from Brunswick, Maine, and recently completed a year's passage aboard a 30- footer (with their large dog). They are presently living aboard their current Bristol 35.5 on an extended cruise.
Kathie and Bill Pendergast live in Dutton, Michigan, and have sailed the Great Lakes for many years. In 1996 they bought a 40-foot sloop and sailed and motored through lakes, locks, and the Intracoastal Waterway to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They went on to spend two winters in the Bahamas.
Our special thanks go to Deven Hull of Beneteau, Ron Frisosky of Catalina, David Pyle of Dufour, and Pat and Dave Flemings of Hunter Marine.
Dufour 45 Classic
Combining performance design with a French-flair interior, the offshore-capable Dufour 45 Classic delivers racer/cruiser boat speed with three-cabin accommodations.
On-deck comfort and efficiency
"This boat is set up for sailing," said Dave of the Dufour 45 Classic, noting that all sail controls are led aft to the cockpit. But Rallyists thought the hardware needed improvement. "This is a good deck design that is hampered by poor equipment," said Roger, pointing out that the headsail-furling and jiffy reefing systems are difficult to operate.He also noted that line-stowage bags are needed for the tails of the nine halyard and reefing lines coming into the cockpit. Overall, Rallyists thought the low-profile coachroof and teak decks made for good visibility and safe on deck work.
Under way
Rallyists were unanimously enthusiastic about the Dufour's performance under sail.. The boat is fast and closewinded, sailing efficiently upwind at a 35-degree apparent-wind angle. "The boat accelerates quickly, and the steering is light and responsive, with just a touch of weather helm," noted the Egglestons. Off the wind the Dufour's big masthead rig and large foretriangle kicked boatspeed up over 8 knots broad-reaching in a stiff breeze, though handling the big headsails takes care and fore thought. Under power the boat handled crisply in forward and reverse. Rallyists rated the level of engine noise below deck as acceptable.
Saloon/nav station
Rallyists gave the Dufour high marks for belowdeck safety; the boat has hand-holds and bracing spaces in all the right places. The saloon, with its seats-two island, can comfortably handle six for dinner, and the seating is easy to get in and out of. "Finally! A chart table big enough to actually spread a chart out on," Anne said of the large nav station. Bill judged the joiner work and finish of the Dufour's interior as "excellent" but noted that "there's not enough cabinet space, overall."
Berths/head
The Dufour 45 Classic's three-cabin interior sleeps six. Each cabin has a double berth, hanging locker, and enclosed shelf stowage space. Rallyists gave high marks to the forward master stateroom, which has an ensuite head/shower. "The forward cabin is spacious, with lots of headroom," said Elfie. "The two aft cabins are small but functional." A couple of Rallyists thought things in the two head/shower compartments needed improving; headroom in the aft shower is tight, and Kathie noted that "there's no holder for the spray nozzle when taking a shower, and the shower needs a temporary single-control shutoff switch to conserve water."
Galley
The Dufour's European-style fore-and-aft galley gave Rallyists plenty of convenient counter space (with high fiddles for security), and there's room for two people to prepare and cook meals. The galley's layout, however, affected the traffic pattern in the main cabin; when the cook was at work, access to the forward cabin was blocked. Elfie rated the icebox (with isotherm refrigerator/freezer) as "very accessible and functional, with two baskets and the center section left open so you can reach items at the bottom."
Systems
Rallyists gave mixed reviews to the Dufour 45 Classic's systems." The systems suffer from uneven execution," said Roger. Bill noted that access to the boat's 400-amp-hour battery bank, located beneath the aft-berth bunk cushions, is difficult. But Rallyists praised the all-sides engine access, which permits easy inspection/service of the engine oil dipstick, filters, and impeller. The electrical panel, wiring, and seacocks were judged properly installed and accessible.
Rallyists rated the Dufour 45 Classic's saloon, anchor handling, and nav areas highly, but thought the shower arrangementand galley layout could use improvement
Note from Dufour: We have reproduced only the Rally information on the Dufour 45 Classic for our website. Please see the full article in the December 1999 issue of Sail Magazine beginning on page 46.
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