Just one day before the French bank holidays and the subsequent summer holidays, Dufour has unveiled a huge surprise package: The yacht builders in La Rochelle have quietly developed a new model for the important entry-level class around ten metres hull length in collaboration with their in-house designer Umberto Felci. The Dufour 32 is now coming as a replacement for the long-serving, very popular and therefore often sold Dufour 310 from 2014. The first boat is currently under construction and is expected to be completed soon. The new model will be presented as a novelty at the 2021 autumn trade fairs.
The many details with which Dufour announces the new ship are striking. One outstanding feature is the bathing hatch attached to the stern as an inflatable and buoyant platform. It can be permanently attached for summer cruising, but can also be completely removed. Brackets are also available for additional fun equipment, such as surfboards or kiteboards. A large cockpit table can also be used flexibly. With short supports and additional insert cushions, it enlarges the cockpit bays into an extended sunbed. To prevent it from getting too hot in strong sunlight, Dufour also offers a flexible and easily stowable fabric roof as an option to provide shade. So there are plenty of exciting gimmicks.
To ensure that there is enough space for enjoyment and relaxation in the cockpit, the new Dufour 32 will only be delivered with tiller steering; one or even two steering wheels as on the predecessor model Dufour 310 will not be feasible. For the sails, there is a choice of a self-tacking jib or an overlapping genoa with adjustable 3D lifting points on the coachroof. The rather high, backstay-less mast with two spreaders is rigged with a strikingly high mast drop and carries a square-head mainsail that is fully battened and flared at the top. The boat is currently still being presented without draft variants - so for the time being there is only an L-keel with a draft of 1.90 metres with a fairly deep rudder blade. Flexible draughts such as lifting or swivelling keels are not planned for the time being.
The interior also remains the same, with a double cabin forward and a very spacious owner's cabin aft, which is installed well over the centre of the ship. There is also a very generously proportioned wet room with shower at the side of the companionway. The centre saloon table can be lowered to the level of the side sofas and the area can be closed off with additional cushions. This means that an additional double bed can be created here.
The new Dufour 32 will cost 118,520 euros ex shipyard, including 19 per cent VAT, including the sails (main and self-tacking jib) and also including the built-in engine. The many gadgets, such as the inflatable bathing platform, are of course only available as optional extras and at an additional cost.
Dufour 32 in the presentation video
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Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
