Yachting World
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Dufour 44 review: More space but maintaining performance
- Rupert Holmes
- September 20, 2024
It’s not just volume that has changed drastically in production cruising yacht design, it’s how designers and sailors use it, which has been a clear focus on the Dufour 44
Product Overview
Price as reviewed:.
What makes the perfect saloon for a cruising yacht? Ask anyone of a certain age and they’re likely to start with safety aspects – snug, with at least a couple of good sea berths, plenty of handholds and no big, wide open spaces that might be dangerous when thrashing to windward. But as we’ll see, Dufour has thrown away the rule book allowing Ardizio Design to create an interior with a refreshingly different style to most.
I sailed a prototype boat from La Rochelle a few months ahead of the Dufour 44’s official launch at Cannes in September. The Umberto Felci-designed hull has beam carried well forward at both deck and chine level, though there’s lots of flare above the waterline, especially forward, giving a relatively narrow waterline beam and low wetted surface area, which boosts performance in light airs.
We experienced the benefits of this immediately after leaving La Rochelle’s Port les Minimes marina, sailing close hauled in only 8 knots of true wind. Even in these light airs we maintained a fairly consistent five knots of boat speed. As we got further offshore in the west-northwesterly airflow, the wind increased to 10 knots and boat speed to six knots, rising to 6.5 knots as the breeze built to 12 knots. Throughout our sail the boat tacked through 95° or less.
Power meets volume: the 44 has very full bows and flare above the waterline, which creates a lot of space without huge drag. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot
Rigged for easy speed
Dufour worked a lot on sail shape with Elvstrom to get the right balance between depth and power for the optional sustainable and high tech Ekko sails which the test boat is equipped with. They set well and clearly helped the boat’s performance and feel.
Felci studied options for both single and twin rudders, determining that the former is sufficient, even with full sail in more than 25 knots of breeze. This gives more feel on the helm than twin rudders while also making the boat easier to handle in harbour, thanks to the prop wash over the rudder. It’s also a simpler solution that frees up more interior and stowage space.
The hull shape is such that stability also builds very quickly when the boat starts to heel and the leeward chine digs in. As true wind speed increased to 14.5 knots ahead of a line of cloud, boat speed nudged up to 6.7-6.8 knots, with a little more heel but not a lot by the standards of older designs. This was still very comfortable sailing and a long way from needing to reef, even though the apparent wind was now above 18 knots.
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Throughout my test the boat had a direct and responsive feel to the helm that belies the 10.2 tonne displacement. Even when attempting to bear away without easing the sheets and the boat well powered up, the rudder still had plenty of bite and answered the helm immediately – a world away from wide-stern single rudder designs of two or three decades ago.
Bearing away to a true wind angle of 65-70º when the true wind dropped back down to 9 knots we still made a comfortable 7 knots of boat speed, although with no asymmetric spinnaker we weren’t able to check realistic speed potential on broad reaching angles or downwind.
‘Stability builds very quickly when the boat starts to heel’. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot
Helm stations are well outboard, which gives a good view of the luff of the sail, though you can’t sit astride the wheel when helming upwind. The cockpit sole is quite high, which means the side deck next to the wheels is quite low, but it’s still a comfortable seat when helming. There’s also a seat behind the helm that allows you to sit comfortably when driving for long periods. In all cases there’s a good view of the headsail luff.
There are no foot chocks for the driver on the basis that owners have so many different preferences it’s impossible to satisfy everyone. Instead this is a dealer-level customisation to allow each owner to choose their favoured solution.
The passage to the side decks is forward of the helm stations, which makes the mainsheet winch on the Ocean version a bit of a stretch from the wheel. On the other hand, it provides plenty of space for a crewmember to work the sheets.
The 108% headsail of the test boat is set on a Facnor FD flat deck furler that helps maximise luff length, although a smaller non-overlapping jib can be specified.
The test boat includes many of the comfort options including six winches and the trademark Dufour exterior galley/grill accessed from the swim platform. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot
The mainsail is set up as standard with two single line reefs, the positions of which were defined after careful analysis by both Elvstrom and Felci. It’s not currently possible to order a third reef from the factory, but there is a spare sheave in the boom and space at the mast plate to install one. Commendably large rope bins are provided at the companionway and behind the winch stations.
The stern platform has access to the cockpit on both sides of the transom, facilitating easy circulation of people. Liferaft stowage is in the middle, with Dufour’s trademark outdoor galley with a barbecue and small sink above. Add to that a fridge in the cockpit table and it’s easy to understand why many Dufour owners predominately cook outside in favourable weather.
Photo: Jean-Marie Liot
Many of today’s yachts are used in a different manner to those of the past. Three or four decades ago a Nicholson 32 or Contessa 32 might have been considered an average size serious cruising yacht. Yet a passage plan might assume an average speed of 4 or 5 knots and weather forecasts were nowhere near as good as those of today, which meant a far greater chance of a passage across, for example, the English Channel or North Sea, turning into a beat at the end. Throw in a tidal gate or two and a lot of 75- to 90-mile passages back then became 18- to 24-hour ordeals.
Times have changed
By contrast, today’s boats are on average a lot larger and proportionately much faster, with the result the same distance is normally covered in no more than 12-14 hours and often a lot less, unless it’s a straight beat to windward. But even that is less likely, thanks to the massive improvements in weather forecasting over the past few decades that mean long upwind slogs when cruising are now encountered much less frequently.
Another difference is that today’s boats don’t heel as much – a wide, high form stability cruising hull shape will rarely see much more than 20°, even when pressed, and 15-18° is more typical. That makes it easier to move around the interior when bashing upwind.
Spacious saloon with hexagonal table and compact galley will work best in harbour. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot
Saloon and galley layouts by Ardizio Design feel distinctly different to many boats, yet will make sense for a lot of owners.
The space is dominated by a large C-shape seating area with a hexagonal table to port. A neat innovation is the three movable fabric stools that provide extra seating on the inboard side of the table. These can be used flexibly, are lightweight, don’t fall over and have an effective non-slip base. They also stack against the starboard settee, extending that space into a larger lounging area.
On the downside there’s no dedicated navstation, other than a folding shelf for a laptop, and the forward galley option initially looks small, with a lack of fixed worktop space, though there is more at a slightly lower level than the main countertops.
The prime benefit those full bows bring is found in the voluminous master cabin. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot
Handholds and grabrails below decks are important for safety at sea, yet provision is often poor on many new yachts – and in any case owners often have different ideas as to what will work best for them. Dufour has planned for interior handrails to be added as a customised option at the dealer level and has designed a choice of mounting points into the underside of the coachroof for this purpose.
Stowage is well configured and in general a marked improvement to older designs, with plenty of thought given to ease of use of space. For instance, there are drawers under both port and starboard settees. These cost boatbuilders extra money to install, but can make a huge difference to life on board.
Other neat touches include a wine rack under the saloon floor and Dufour’s effective dustpan below the cabin sole. There are lights combined with USB outlets next to each bed and the spacious forward owner’s cabin has a good area of bookshelves and space for phones, keys, wallets and so on next to the head of the bed.
Nonetheless, the interior is better in harbour or at anchor than at sea and the galley on the version I tested won’t be easy to use when well heeled. There is an option for a conventional linear galley on the starboard side.
A lot of yacht to enjoy at anchor – note the large hull windows. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot
As with other models in the range it’s available in Easy, Ocean and Performance variants. The bulk of sales of the pared-down Easy version are likely to go to charter companies, while the Ocean model I sailed will be the choice of most private owners.
Dufour worked with charter companies in Croatia to optimise quick and easy access for maintenance and repair of systems throughout the boat – also a big benefit for private owners. Easily accessible items are more likely to be inspected on a regular basis, markedly reducing potential for breakdowns.
Dufour 44 specifications
LOA: 13.91m 45ft 8in LWL: 12.23m 40ft 2in Beam: 4.45m 14ft 7in Draught (standard keel): 2.2m 7ft 2in Draught (shoal draught keel): 1.75m 5ft 9in Light disp: 10,200kg 22,500lb Ballast: 2,850kg 6,284lb Fuel: 250lt 55gal Water: 250lt 55gal (extra 180lt 48gal optional) Engine: 50hp (60hp optional) Sail area (100% foretriangle): 96.8m2 1,042ft2 Disp/LWL ratio: 155 Sail area/disp ratio: 20.9 Price as tested: approx €400,000 ex VAT Contact: dufour-yachts.com
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While nothing is revolutionary about this boat, it’s a welcome incremental step as a more spacious design that performs well across a range of wind speeds. At the same time, the living arrangements, above and below decks, will work well for the large numbers of owners, both in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, who are not in the habit of making multi-day passages. Fuel tankage is arguably not generous at 250lt, but the boat’s light airs performance, particularly if the optional Code 0 and asymmetric spinnaker are specified, will mean a lot less time is spent motoring in light airs – and therefore a lot more time spent enjoying the sailing – than with earlier designs.
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- Dufour Launches New 44 Family Cruiser
Over the last four years, the French builder Dufour, which is celebrating its 60 th anniversary, has reinvented their brand with interesting and roomy new designs from the wizards at Felci Yachts.
The new 37 and 41 were given hulls with hefty beams, very full sections forward and a hard chine that runs all the way aft. This combination results in interior spaces the likes of which Dufour has never offered before.
The all new 44, which was introduced earlier this year, takes that theme and runs with it. The 44, which measures out to 45 feet with the bowsprit, has a 40-foot waterline and 14 feet, six inches of maximum beam. The ample volume forward makes room for either twin double cabins in the fore peak or a massive master stateroom.
The saloon is cavernous and the living spaces have been pushed all the way out to the hull, unobstructed by mid-level cabinets. With hull glazing, the boat seems truly spacious and full of natural light.
Interestingly, the galley can be an in-line design along the starboard side, across from the dinette, or it can be built in forward of the dinette where it sits athwartships. This second galley option will be the choice of both avid cooks and families that will be sailing offshore and cooking in bouncy weather.
With twin quarter cabins, each with a private head, the 44 will cruise six comfortably and will make a fine live-aboard home for a couple or a family of four. Read more here.
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Sailboat Review: Dufour 41
- By Herb McCormick
- September 17, 2024
When it comes to a discussion of the great European naval architects of contemporary times—and it’s a long list, indeed—certain names immediately pop to mind. Many are French. Philippe Briand made his mark creating boats for a roster of production builders (Baltic, Jeanneau, CNB) before pivoting to the superyacht set (Perini Navi, Royal Huisman). Jean-Marie Finot was more or less the father of an era of the best Vendée Globe solo round-the-world racers ever to compete in that grueling contest. Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prévost (VPLP Design) are the current masters of offshore multihulls. The talented tandem of Jean Berret and Olivier Racoupeau are ubiquitous as the creators of many French brands, and sit at the forefront of their profession.
To me, however, one of the more underrated European design mavens, and one who definitely belongs in that rarefied grouping, is Umberto Felci. While Felci was born in Milan and still operates from his base in Italy, I’ve always considered him a huge influence in French boatbuilding—largely because of his longtime association with Dufour Yachts, where he’s been the principal designer for some 15 years.
During that time, I’ve sailed many a Felci boat, as he’s been a consistent presence in Cruising World ’s annual Boat of the Year contest . He has won multiple times with his Dufour entries, including the 560 Grand Large (2014), the 382 Grand Large (2015), and the 520 Grand Large (2018). All of these Grand Large boats shared a similar DNA, and the Dufour booths at the major boat shows were easily recognizable for their similar lines and matching beige canvas dodgers and sail covers. The only huge difference across the fleet was their respective sizes.
All that changed in a big way in 2019, after the Fountaine Pajot group acquired Dufour and decided to make each new offering a singular model in form and styling. Which brings us to Felci’s newest design, the Dufour 41.
Aesthetically, it’s safe to say that the bright-blue Dufour 41 at this past year’s Annapolis Sailboat Show in Maryland was one of the more distinctive-looking yachts on display. It has a rounded bow, ample beam, and not one but two chines, both carried almost the entire length of the boat—one just above the waterline, another just below the reverse sheer line, which is accentuated by prominent molded bulwarks. This boat looks and feels much larger than its 41 feet length overall. Forward, an integrated bowsprit for the ground tackle and the tack point for the asymmetric kite heightens the futuristic vibe. As does the series of three sleek windows in the hull (along with the additional pair of windows overhead in the coachroof). There is not a stick of timber to be found anywhere.
Topsides, the combination of wide side decks and outboard shrouds makes for easy egress when moving forward or aft. The emphasis on “outdoor living” is underscored by a generous cockpit with twin wheels (but, as with all Dufours, a single rudder, which makes backing down easier and with more control). There’s also wraparound seating, including a cushioned daybed, as well as a drop-down transom, which doubles as the porch/platform for the barbecue well aft. All this is revolved around a table—a pretty sweet, comfortable layout that lends the impression of lounging aboard a much bigger boat.
All the related equipment is first-rate. There’s B&G instrumentation, including the chart plotter and autopilot; a Quick vertical windlass with helm controls for the Delta anchor; and a Side-Power (Sleipner) bow thruster, which I reckon is a luxurious touch on a 41-footer. Our test boat was set up with a nice set of Elvstrøm sails, including a traditional mainsail (an in-mast furling mainsail is available) with a cool stack-pack arrangement that tucks into itself and is secured with shock cords. For our Boat of the Year trials, we test all the emergency rudders, and the one on the 41 was exceptional.
Construction is straightforward and robust. The hull is vacuum-infused with solid glass below the waterline and a foam core above. There are a pair of molded-in channels for the plumbing and electrical wiring. The plywood bulkheads are laminated to the hull. The keel is cast iron. And, as with every Dufour going back to the company’s origins, a wine rack is stashed under the floorboards.
Ardizio Design is responsible for the belowdecks accoutrements, accommodations and floor plan. Its team used those aforementioned chines and, more specifically, the voluminous interior that the chines created, to wide advantage. As with Dufour’s other models, there are three packages of features, trim and equipment—on the 41, these are labeled Adventure, Ocean and Performance—depending on how the boat will be used (basic sailing, dedicated cruising or racing). With the 41, there are also two interior options: either three or four staterooms. Both have a straight-line galley to starboard, with the dining table and wraparound settee to port.
Our test boat had the three-stateroom layout, with a spacious master forward and a pair of double-berth staterooms aft. It also had three heads, which, to be honest, seems like a bit of overkill on a 41-foot boat. The second head, in the center of the boat, can be replaced with stowage, which is the setup I’d prefer.
The 41 sports a double-spreader rig with swept-back spreaders and a self-tacking jib. The double-ended German-style mainsheet, anchored at midboom, is easily trimmed with a pair of electric winches (an optional electric winch for the mainsail is available). There’s no traveler; after all, this is a cruising boat.
Under power, the 50 hp Volvo Penta with a saildrive configuration had us zipping along at better than 6 knots. This was one of the quieter boats, decibel-wise, in the 2024 fleet. But we were all itching to hoist the sails, and we were not disappointed. At first, in a fitful breeze that was just filling in, we still made over 5 knots in 6 to 8 knots of wind. Soon enough, the pressure built into the 10- to 12-knot range, just in time to hoist the boat’s big asymmetric kite. On a tight reach, we made an effortless 7.5 knots, and the helm was just delightful, with only a light three-finger touch required for full control.
Those Grand Large prizewinners from years past were, of course, all Felci designs. While this new Dufour looks absolutely nothing like its older siblings, it sails just as well, if not better. Felci may have changed the recipe under the company’s new regime, but he hasn’t forgotten that what we really want is pretty simple: We want to go for a fine sail.
Dufour 41 Specifications
| LOA | 41’1″ |
| Beam | 14′ |
| Draft | 6’1″ |
| Sail Area | 792 sq. ft. |
| Displacement | 21,647 lb. |
| D/L | 155 |
| SA/D | 18.1 |
| Water | 66 gal. |
| Fuel | 66 gal. |
| Engine | Volvo Penta 50 hp with saildrive |
| Design | Felci Yacht Design |
Did You Know?
French boatbuilders were pioneers in fiberglass-sailboat manufacturing. Naval architect/engineer Michel Dufour joined their ranks in 1964 with the launching of the Sylphe, a radical (for its time) 21-foot pocket cruiser with a masthead rig and fin keel with attached ballast bulb. More than 400 were built in a 10-year production run.
Dufour has ramped up its introduction of new models in the past five years, and now has nine in production ranging from 37 to 61 feet, with a 44-footer on tap to be introduced in the United States this fall. Of that collection, the company’s 41, 470 and 530 are all available with electric auxiliary-propulsion options.
Dufour has laid out an aggressive growth strategy, planning to introduce two models each year for the next several years, and replacing its entire fleet within four years. As for the 41, a company representative said that about a third of the run will go to private owners, a third will be purchased by charter operators, and a third will go into charter-management programs.
Herb McCormick is a CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.
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- Guide To Dufour - Four Decades Of Innovation
Guide to Dufour - Four decades of innovation
Michel Dufour founded his company to build the Sylpie in 1965, but it was his second design, the Arpege from 1967, that established his reputation as an innovative designer and builder.
Today, the company builds cruiser-racers from 34ft to 45ft and ‘pure’ cruisers from 32ft to 50ft. Most of the hulls are designed by Umberto Felci and the interiors styled by Patrick Roseo.
Dufour T7 - One of the smallest centre-cockpit designs widely available, at 22ft. The T7 appeared in 1980 and sold 250 in two years. With two berths in the saloon and two in the aftercabin, reached via the cockpit, the T7 is popular as a family cruiser.
Dufour 27 - With very high freeboard and a window in the hull, this was a distinctive and popular cruiser from 1973. Most sales were in France. Under her semi-flush decks is 15ft 11in headroom and four berths in a very bare, GRP-dominated interior.
Dofour 1800 - Introduced in 1979 in succession to the Dufour 25, this 25-footer sold well – 200 boats were launched in three years of production, with a choice of lifting, shallow, standard or deep-fin keels. She is typical of the middle years of Dofour design: a full-bodied, high-volume hull topped by a square-looking coachroof.
Dufour 28 – A late model from Dufour’s first incarnation, designed by Jaques Faroux, this is still a strikingly modern and good-looking yacht. Performance and handling are acceptable if she is kept upright, but she’s not ideal for heavy-weather passage-making. She was remarkable for her time (1983) in having two aft cabins in an overall length of just 29ft.
Dufour 2800 – Successor to the 27 in 1978, this comfortable, docile family cruiser was the second most popular Dufour of all time: 1,300 were built over six years. At the time her looks were modern and refreshing - she effectively re-established Michel Dufour’s reputation for forward thinking.
Dufour 30 Classic – Simplicity is the essence of this entry-level cruiser, launched in the late 1990s. She is quick under full canvas, easy to handle, close-winged and fairly well balanced to boot. The rig, which supports a fairly large mainsail and a small, non-overlapping jib, was rather lightly built for serious offshore work. The cockpit is well laid out, with all the essentials within easy reach of the helm – a bonus for short-handed sailing.
Dufour 31 – Another highly successful model, selling more than 900 from 1973 onwards, the most striking feature is her clipper bow. Like many Dufour yachts she was innovative for her time, with a spacious, six-berth interior (including a quarter berth and a dinette double) and a 1.9m headroom.
Dufour 32 Classic – The 32 Classic was launched in 1988 and quickly gained reputation as a comfortable cruising yacht and remained in production until 2004. The sailplan is moderate, with an overlapping genoa, giving good average performance under sail for a modern cruiser.
Dufour 3800 – This masthead-rigged fast cruiser was the replacement for the 31, launched in 1979 and designed by German Frers. Despite being an elegant boat with far less plastic interior and sparkling performance, sales were only moderate at 300.
Dufour 4800 – Launched in 1981, this 35 footer from Dufour was a substantially different creation to the company’s earlier models. Looking very much like a grown-up 3800, she could accommodate up to nine people, maintaining the French tradition for maximum crew berths. She had, in effect, an early manifestation of an owner’s suite, with the heads and double berth forward of the main bulkhead.
Dufour 34 – A sparkling performer which scooped the European Yacht of the Year award. This Umberto Felci design from 2002 sports a fine, deep iron keel and a slim but very deep rudder, set on a sleek hull that slips through the water with the minimum of fuss and effort.
Dufour 35 – Not Michel Dufour’s most attractive creation, this flush-decked, beamy boat from 1972 nonetheless managed sales of 450, thanks largely to the enormous amount of space below desks and good performance under sail.
Dufour 35 Classic – Well-balanced and quick, the 35 Classic is one of the lightest cruisers in her class, displacing just 4.5 tons. But she’s sturdy too – Dufour did not skimp on build quality. A combination of moderate freeboard, pleasing sheerline, low coachroof and reverse transom make her easy on the eye.
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- Yachting Monthly
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Dufour 2800 review: from the archive
- April 9, 2021
Jeremy Evans enjoys cruising around Mallorca’s Bahia de Pollensa, living aboard one of Michel Dufour’s classic designs
The small mainsail is easily managed, but the big genoa demands a lot of grunt. Credit: Jeremy Evans Credit: Jeremy Evans
Product Overview
Manufacturer:.
In the 1970s, Dufour was France’s biggest yacht builder, launching a plethora of new models including the Dufour 2800, which superseded the Dufour 27 in 1978.
More than 1,300 Dufour 2800s were built over seven years, making it one of Michel Dufour’s most successful designs.
Its popularity was due to a striking modern design, well ahead of its time, with a high-volume hull and a bright, airy saloon.
Combined with the promise of good sailing performance from an easily managed, race-bred hull and rig, it was a popular formula.
Three decades on, does the Dufour 2800 still deliver the goods? I spent a few days aboard a well-maintained example, Milike , to find out.
Design, construction & sailplan
High freeboard and a high coachroof with big windows sounds like a recipe for an ugly yacht.
But the Dufour 2800 is surprisingly well balanced and pleasing to the eye, with the advantage of large amounts of practical, well planned space both above and below decks.
The standard fin keel is deep enough to provide good sailing performance and long enough to dry out against a wall with normal due care.
A few Dufour 2800s were built with deeper ‘Club Special’ keels for enhanced performance at the cost of reduced access to shallow water.
The centreboard version has a minimum length stub keel for creek crawling, which seems likely to reduce performance, with possible maintenance worries should the centreboard get jammed up or down.
Milike under sail in Bahia de Pollensa close to Puerto Pollensa. She is normally fi tted with a small bimini and sprayhood for extremes of weather.
Steering is direct from tiller to unbalanced rudder, so the rig must be well balanced at all times to keep the helm light.
Unlike more modern yachts with bulbous sterns containing an ‘owner’s stateroom’ plus massive cockpit lazarettes and a swimming platform, the 2800 has a neat, trim transom that is less likely to get pushed around by following waves.
The rig is a typical development of Half Ton and One Ton Cup racers from the 1970s, with a small, easily handled mainsail dwarfed by a very large overlapping genoa, which can require a lot of effort to winch in.
As the breeze increases, you have to partially furl the genoa before reefing the mainsail.
The cockpit was clearly designed by a racing enthusiast, for cruising enthusiasts: safe, secure and well protected at sea with good footholds and handholds.
You have to accept that the tiller sweeps across the back of the cockpit and the mainsheet traveller crosses the companionway – typical features from a yacht of this age that demand some extra care – but there is enough comfortable space for a crew of three to sit in the cockpit on the benches, or up on the coamings.
The cockpit also works well at anchor or in a marina, though without the wide-open space and easy boarding via a sugar-scoop stern of more modern yachts.
A home-made cockpit table works very well on a boat of this size.
With slab reefing led back to the cockpit, there is little need to go on deck at sea.
But when it is necessary, the flush, wide side decks and foredeck make it easy to move around the boat with grabrails along the coachroof and still good grip for your feet after more than 30 years’ wear.
And while Milike may be a little faded from the Mallorcan sun, the gelcoat of her white hull, blue coachroof and grey deck also looks pretty good after three decades, with no major problems from cracks, crazing or, heaven forbid, delamination.
As with any yacht, regular maintenance is required to ensure everything continues to work well.
Two years ago, all the original coachroof windows had to be replaced, which took a week of hard labour – they had become horribly crazed with age.
Below decks
The most striking aspect down below on Milike was light pouring into the saloon through the new windows, illuminating the woodwork, headlining and an overall finish that still looks pretty good.
The galley functions equally well in a marina or under way, with a cooker, sink, fridge and cupboards close to hand.
It was originally fitted with a two-burner stove on gimbals balanced by a Camping Gaz cylinder attached directly underneath.
Looking forward in the saloon, both the cockpit and saloon tables are stowed against the bulkhead.
Moving the gas supply to a transom locker proved too challenging, so an Origo alcohol stove was installed instead.
It performed well initially but went ‘off the boil’ during our spring cruise due to sub-standard fuel.
The original gas geyser – unpleasant and slightly dodgy – has been replaced by a calorifier with a heating element, fitted in the cockpit locker to ensure there is hot water for the shower when connected to shore power or after running the engine.
A useful addition to Milike is the home-made, full-size dining table that stows vertically against the main bulkhead.
Moving forward, the moulded plastic sink facing the heads opposite is a lurid shade of faded tangerine, but who cares when it works well.
And unlike most comparable cruisers, you can even enjoy a hot shower with a surprising degree of comfort!
Without doubt, the Dufour 2800 is a proper sailor’s boat. She will appeal to folks who were brought up on dinghy sailing and expect immediate response from tiller, hull and rig.
Given that she’s a heavily laden, live-aboard cruiser, Milike was rewarding to sail and fun to steer, particularly upwind, while we spent an enjoyable few days exploring Bahia de Pollensa with its lovely anchorages near the northern tip of Mallorca.
Thanks to regular maintenance, cleaning and greasing, Milike’s winches and blocks are all original and working perfectly.
The big genoa provides most of the drive on a reach, pushing her comfortably past 7 knots, with a light, precise feel on the helm. With the genoa creating so much power forward of the keel, correct trim and the right amount of sail area are vital to keep the boat pleasantly balanced.
The design was well ahead of its time, with a high-volume hull and very good sailing performance.
For best performance deeper downwind, the small mainsail needs a cruising chute or traditional symmetrical spinnaker – there’s plenty of space to stow a spinnaker pole on the side deck and a good foredeck working area for launching and retrieval.
Under power, Milike chugged along quietly with little vibration from her original Volvo MD7. Apparently always reliable, this engine has had one major overhaul and been repainted bright blue.
For a boat of her age, she manoeuvres reasonably well in a marina and we had no great problem negotiating her tight, bows-on berth.
As with any yacht, practice is necessary to feel confident whenever you go astern in crowded surroundings.
Tony Lean placed his order for a brand new Dufour 2800 while visiting the 1981 Earl’s Court London Boat Show.
Later that year, he travelled to the west coast of France to collect the newly launched Milike and sailed her directly to Mallorca, where Puerto Pollensa has been her happy home port for more than 30 years.
During that time, Tony has enjoyed cruising around the coast and the neighbouring island of Minorca with his family and friends, using two bath plugs to transform the deep footwell into a paddling pool for young children. Such is cruising life when you keep a yacht in the Mediterranean!
Tony’s regular crewman, Rodney Evans, a keen handyman, helps with maintenance and upkeep.
Tony and Rodney tend to visit at different times of the year, staying on board for a fortnight or more during spring, summer or autumn, which ensures Milike gets at least two months’ proper use and solid cruising each season. In terms of sailing pleasure, she has proved an excellent investment over three decades.
Our verdict on the Dufour 2800
What’s she like to sail.
Pleasing hull lines reflect excellent sailing performance, which made the Dufour 2800 a potent cruiser-racer in her day.
In light to moderate winds she is a delight to drive hard and high upwind, steering on the headsail telltales while perched on the weather cockpit coaming with the tiller extension easily to hand.
This provides a comfortable position with a good view ahead, though the huge overlapping genoa blankets the view to leeward.
In stronger winds and waves it is more secure to sit inside the cockpit where the tiller comes nicely to hand, with precise pull from the spade rudder.
It’s not a balanced rudder, so she will turn into wind if you let the tiller go (or fall over the side).
The cockpit has comfortable space for three adults or a young 2+2 family under sail.
The mainsheet can be grabbed by helm or crew, which is useful for instant tweaking, but you need to be wary of the track across the companionway.
While the mainsail is small and easily managed, the large masthead genoa requires prompt sheeting to avoid a lot of winding during tacks, which is typical of yachts from that era.
Many 2800s are fitted with slab reefing controlled from the cockpit, so only hoisting and dropping require a trip along the wide side decks to the mast.
A stack-pack with lazyjacks could be a worthwhile investment, though it’s not difficult to roll and secure the small mainsail neatly on top of the boom.
What’s she like in port and at anchor?
We found the 2800 comfortable for three adults to spend a week living aboard in a marina and daysailing, despite some challenging weather.
Her large coachroof windows ensure light fills the cabin and you can get a very nice view of the outside world if you stand up in the saloon.
There is ample space for four or even more adults to socialise below in reasonable comfort.
The forecabin is spacious enough for an adult or two children to sleep quite comfortably, with the moulded heads and shower/bathroom unit sandwiched between main bulkhead and saloon.
The chart table aided by a Yeoman plotter and a Garmin GPS Map 230.
Two decent single berths in the saloon are augmented by a tight quarterberth behind the chart table, which could play an important role on a long passage or for basic stowage.
Nav station and galley are well designed and more than adequate.
Would she suit you and your crew?
With 1,300 Dufour 2800s built between 1978 and 1984, there is a healthy second-hand market throughout Britain, Europe, the Caribbean and USA.
A huge variation in asking prices from well under £10,000 to over £15,000 reflects overall condition, specification and owners’ expectations.
The one we sailed was in very good condition for her age, with well-preserved gelcoat and solid laminate – these yachts were built to last and should provide many more years of sailing pleasure.
The Dufour 2800 is fun to sail and easy to handle with excellent accommodation in a light, airy, attractive interior.
A good example could be very comfortable for an adult couple who enjoy coastal cruising, or provide lots of fun for a young family, with two kids sleeping in the forecabin or playing in the safe confines of the deep cockpit while the yacht gently rocks at anchor.
First published in the May 2015 issue of YM.
Category : Dufour Yachts
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SubcategoriesThis category has the following 4 subcategories, out of 4 total.
Media in category "Dufour Yachts"The following 6 files are in this category, out of 6 total. 
Navigation menu Dufour 44 SailboatWhether for experienced sailors or adventure-seeking lovers of the sea, the Dufour 44 sailing yacht is designed to deliver an unforgettable experience. Created with the steadfast collaboration of Felci Yachts Design and the Dufour teams, the hull’s sleek design and manoeuvrability at the helm will allow you to tame the seas while enjoying precise and responsive handling. The pleasure felt at the helm will charm new owners and cruising sailors alike. The art of relaxation at seaThe agility of the new Dufour 44 sailboat in no way leads to a sacrifice in comfort. Her spacious, luxuriously appointed interior, signed by Luca Ardizio, offers everything you need for enjoying some unforgettable relaxing times at sea. From the elegant cabins to the bright, open-plan living spaces, every detail has been designed to provide you with exceptional comfort. The generous beam will also allow you to enjoy a highly spacious cockpit as well as a bathing platform that’s easily accessible, thanks to its double access… A brand-new feature from Dufour!
A saloon spanning the entire width of the boat and versatile spacesThe saloon layout has been designed to offer maximum space and conviviality. Dufour is introducing a new feature, a hexagonal table giving a new design to the saloon and providing seating for up to 10 people thanks to its movable stools. A genuine Owner’s cabinForward, the Owner’s cabin with its Island Bed and en-suite bathroom surpasses all expectations for optimum comfort. This new 44-footer Dufour yacht has been designed with an emphasis on detail, atmosphere and choice of materials. The result is a warm, light-filled atmosphere, where you’ll find more space and storage than ever before. Available in 4 versions with 2 galley layouts, for greater comfortThe Dufour 41 yacht offers a total of 4 different layouts, with 3 or 4 cabins, and either a longitudinal galley or a forward galley… Luca Ardizio brings a revisited version of the forward galley, fully in keeping with Dufour’s DNA. The longitudinal galley retains plenty of storage space and a large work surface. Smoother circulation for greater conviviality and ease under wayIn keeping with Dufour’s DNA, the deck layout has been designed to give you a smooth sailing experience that’s full of sensations. The area between the helm station and the two winches has been enlarged to make sail manoeuvring easier. At anchor, you’ll be able to move freely around the plancha grill, thanks to the double access from the platform, which has also been enlarged. Virtual Tour 360°
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Dufour (Q1792248)
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Dufour Yachts is a French sailboat manufacturer which was founded in 1964 by naval architect and engineer Michel Dufour. [3] It was purchased by Fountaine Pajot in 2018, and Dufour remains a separate brand. [4] Current models. From the list of models on Dufour Yachts's website, as of February 2021. [5] Dufour 310;
In 1970, a design office was set up to develop the "Safari". Production moved to an industrial scale to manufacture more than 300 boats per year from 1971 under the new entity, Dufour SA. The company was now working out of a modern 15,000 m² factory in Périgny, near La Rochelle. Dufour Yachts history, 60 years of passion.
Many of today's yachts are used in a different manner to those of the past. Three or four decades ago a Nicholson 32 or Contessa 32 might have been considered an average size serious cruising yacht.
Dufour Yachts. Categories: French boat builders. Manufacturing companies established in 1884. French brands. Germán Frers. Sailboat manufacturers. Yacht building companies. Hidden category:
Dufour Yachts DNA. Constantly looking to the future, Dufour as a boat Manufacturer, designs each new model to provide pleasure and feel in complete serenity, whatever your cruising project and however you use your yacht.For over 60 years, we have been designing and building innovative, high-performance sailing boats.Marked by an assertive character and an identity recognisable among the crowd ...
The Dufour 1800 is a French sailboat that was designed by Laurent Cordelle and Michel Dufour as a trailerable cruiser-racer and first built in 1979. [1] [2] [3] [4]The Dufour 1800 is a development of the earlier Dufour 25. [1]The unusual designation does not indicate the boat length in imperial or metric, as is common, but instead the metric displacement of 1,800 kg (3,968 lb).
Dufour Shipyard : the french luxury boats builder. Established more than 50 years ago on the Atlantic Coast, Dufour plays an important role in the region and is one of the main employers in La Rochelle. With a production capacity of more than 18.000 m² and 420 full-time employees, Dufour counts among the biggest shipyards in the world.
Over the last four years, the French builder Dufour, which is celebrating its 60 th anniversary, has reinvented the Dufour brand with interesting and roomy new designs from the wizards at Felci Yachts. The new 37 and 41 were given hulls with heaft beams, very full sections forward and a hard chine that runs all the way aft.
Courtesy Dufour Yachts. Our test boat had the three-stateroom layout, with a spacious master forward and a pair of double-berth staterooms aft. It also had three heads, which, to be honest, seems like a bit of overkill on a 41-foot boat. The second head, in the center of the boat, can be replaced with stowage, which is the setup I'd prefer. ...
AN INNOVATIVE LUXURY YACHT OF ALMOST 15 METRES. The Dufour 48 yacht offers an unparalleled experience and promotes living in the great outdoors, a return to the ocean. This luxury 15- meter sailing yacht reveals an aft cockpit that guarantees instinctive, safe and convivial sailing. A new feature is a second cockpit with sunbathing areas forward on the yacht, offering unrivalled comfort both ...
Among the early successful boats were the SAFARI 27, ARPEGE 30 (1966), and the DUFOUR 35. DUFOUR YACHTS s.a. 1, rue Blaise Pascal 17187 Périgny cedex FRANCE Tel: +33 (0)5 46 30 07 60 Fax: +33 (0)5 46 45 46 96. Years in Business: 1964 - present. Sailboats Built By Dufour Yachts (FRA)
Dufour offers a wide range of top-of-the-line sailboats, from 14 to 18 meters, specifically designed to meet the expectations of blue water sailing.Intimacy on board, relaxing and convivial areas, personalization of layouts & materials, comfort while sailing with a limited crew, are all assets that make luxury yachts Dufour 470, Dufour 530, 56 and 61, unique models.
Dofour 1800 - Introduced in 1979 in succession to the Dufour 25, this 25-footer sold well - 200 boats were launched in three years of production, with a choice of lifting, shallow, standard or deep-fin keels. She is typical of the middle years of Dofour design: a full-bodied, high-volume hull topped by a square-looking coachroof. Dufour 28 - A late model from Dufour's first incarnation ...
Dufour bei der 47. Internationalen Bootsausstellung Genua, Italien 2007. Dufour Yachts ist ein französischer Segelboot- und Segelyachthersteller. Das Unternehmen mit Sitz in der westfranzösischen Hafenstadt La Rochelle wurde im Jahr 1964 vom Schiffbauingenieur Michael Dufour gegründet.. 1973 wurde Dufour als Frankreichs führender Produktionsbootsbauer mit dem französischen Exportpreis ...
The Dufour 24 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim.It has a fractional sloop rig, a raked stem, a nearly plumb transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed fin keel or optional shoal draft keel. It displaces 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) and carries 1,170 lb (531 kg) of ballast. [1] [3]The boat has a draft of 3.80 ft (1.16 m) with the ...
Dufour 24. Dufour 1800. Categories: Sailboat types by manufacturer. Sailboat types built in France. Dufour Yachts.
New 2022 - DUFOUR 32. Article. is a condensation of innovation and full of intelligence…. It also has volumes of space rarely reached on a sailboat from 11 to 13 meters. Like all the models in the range, it will offer you. Discover the genesis of this project by reading these words from Umberto FELCI, architect of DUFOUR Yachts:
In the 1970s, Dufour was France's biggest yacht builder, launching a plethora of new models including the Dufour 2800, which superseded the Dufour 27 in 1978. More than 1,300 Dufour 2800s were built over seven years, making it one of Michel Dufour's most successful designs. Its popularity was due to a striking modern design, well ahead of its time, with a high-volume hull and a bright ...
Dufour, builder of uniquely styled yachts up to 56ft, drew on its experience with three previous under-40 models when it created its 382 Grand Large. The result is a boat that does just about everything two to four people could want in less length. Design & Construction. The hull of the Dufour 382 Grand Large is hand-laid in polyester with an ...
Dufour French sailboat manufacturer ... Media in category "Dufour Yachts" The following 6 files are in this category, out of 6 total. 20090731 korinthos canal12.jpg 3,872 × 2,592; 6.67 MB. Cockpit and stern of sailboat Dufour GibSea 37, with bathing ladder in water (cropped).jpg 514 × 409; 154 KB.
Dufour 44 Sailboat. Whether for experienced sailors or adventure-seeking lovers of the sea, the is designed to deliver an unforgettable experience. Created with the steadfast collaboration of Felci Yachts Design and the Dufour teams, the hull's sleek design and manoeuvrability at the helm will allow you to tame the seas while enjoying precise ...
En 1988, Olivier Poncin reprend le chantier Dufour & Sparks en difficulté, qu'il rebaptise Dufour yachts. Les chantiers connaissent une période de développement [3].En 1994, Dufour reprend le chantier Dynamique qui construit des voiliers de plaisance haut de gamme à Andilly.Dufour lance la gamme « Classic » [3] et lance les premiers voiliers tout équipés.
The weight required to sink the yacht one inch. Calculated by multiplying the LWL area by 5.333 for sea water or 5.2 for fresh water. FOR MULTIHULLS ONLY: BN - Bruce Number: The Bruce Number is a power-to-weight ratio for relative speed potential for comparing two or more boats. It takes into consideration the displacement and sail area of ...
Fountaine-Pajot. Fountaine-Pajot is a major French maritime construction company specialising in catamarans both for private leisure, cruising and offshore chartering. The company was founded in 1976 by Jean François Fountaine and Yves Pajot, in the town of Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis, in Charente-Maritime. It also now has a factory at La Rochelle.
Language Label Description Also known as; English: Dufour. French sailboat manufacturer