Dufour celebrates its 50th anniversary and presents itself with a gift - a new flagship. With a length of 16.30 metres, the shipyard in Perigny near La Rochelle is even launching the largest ship in its history.
The new ship visually and conceptually adopts the type DNA of the current Grand'Large touring line. With the pronounced chine edges, the large and long hull windows, the projecting stern with folding platform and the flat cabin superstructure, the new 560 is almost identical to the previous flagship, the Dufour 500 GL (test in YACHT 3/2013).
Nevertheless, there are important differences. The new large boat is equipped with a fixed bowsprit, which can also be used as an anchor bracket and step. On the smaller 500, the bowsprit is extendable and an anchor bracket is therefore not provided as standard. Another new feature is the offer of a self-tacking jib as an alternative to the short overlapping (106%) standard genoa. And: The 560 GL now offers a garage for the tender behind the folding bathing platform - another first for Dufour. The spacious stern garage is possible on the Dufour 560 because the single rudder blade is installed conspicuously far forward. Dufour and designer Umberto Felci still want to do without double rudder blades.
In terms of the layout below deck, Dufour has adopted the unusual layout of the 500 GL. The special feature: the galley is built across the entire width of the ship directly against the main bulkhead, even before the actual saloon. This layout gives the interior a completely new feeling of space. Compared to the Dufour 500, the new flagship will offer significantly more space in the foredeck. A total of four different layout variants will be offered here, with a large central double bed, side-mounted berths and an additional sofa or as a split variant for charter use with two separate double cabins. A skipper's cabin with its own wet room in the bow is also available as an alternative to a large sailing cabin in the forepeak, as is an additional Pullman cabin with two bunk berths instead of a third wet room aft.
The large Dufour 560 will take to the water for the first time in spring 2014. The shipyard has not yet been able to reveal the exact price.
