DUFOUR CLASSIC 45
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 45.92 ft |
| LWL | 37.42 ft |
| Beam | 14.17 ft |
| Draft | 7.67 ft |
| Displacement | 24,180 lb |
| Ballast | 8,700 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 53.3 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 17.7 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 52.8 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 15.6 ft |
| FLforestay | 17.7 ft |
| Mainsail | 916.5 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 471.7 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 801.9 sq ft |
About the DUFOUR CLASSIC 45
Shallow draft: 1.95m/6.40'
The Dufour Classic 45 is a 45.92 ft masthead sloop designed by J & J Designs/Olivier Poncin and built by Dufour Yachts (FRA) in 1988. With a displacement of 24180.0 lb and a build count of ?, this vessel represents a specific era of French production yachts.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and those seeking a comfortable, moderately heavy displacement cruiser with a 27.38 comfort ratio. Its 14.17 ft beam and 7.67 ft max draft suggest it is best suited for protected waters and marinas with adequate depth.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 1.96 and a D/L ratio of 206.01, the boat offers moderate offshore stability, though its single production year and lack of specific bluewater build history suggest it is primarily a coastal cruiser.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats from the late 1980s include other French production cruisers with similar displacement and beam, such as the Beneteau 46 or Jeanneau 43. These models share similar dimensions and roles as comfortable coastal cruisers with moderate performance.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.8 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| 60° | 5.1 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| 75° | 5.4 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 8.6 |
| 90° | 5.3 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.7 |
| 110° | 5.2 | 6.4 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 9.3 |
| 120° | 5.1 | 6.3 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 9.4 |
| 135° | 4.6 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 9.1 |
| 150° | 3.9 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 6.8 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.6 |
| Beat VMG | 3.0 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 5.5 |
| Run VMG | 3.3 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 8.1 |
Estimated Value
Limited DataAsking price by model year
7 listings · boat years 1998–2000 · median $81,467
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 45.92ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the DUFOUR CLASSIC 45yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a DUFOUR CLASSIC 45? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your DUFOUR CLASSIC 45?
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Used sails that fit the DUFOUR CLASSIC 45
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…