The large ship still seems to be in great demand - and the series manufacturers are now responding to this. The market leaders at Beneteau have just presented the Oceanis Yacht 62, a new flagship that is over 18 metres long (we presented the luxurious blue water cruiser in detail in an exclusive test in YACHT issue 15/2016). Jeanneau also offers a yacht in a comparable format with its 64 (test in YACHT 14/2014). And Hanseyachts even surpasses the 20-metre mark with its 675 (test in YACHT 9/2016). Now the competition at Dufour Yachts is following suit and showing the first pictures of its new flagship, the Dufour 63.
So far, however, the shipyard has only announced a few details. The specifications and prices have not been announced. However, the first renderings, which have now been made exclusively available to YACHT, promise a whole series of very exciting innovations on deck. A clear division of the areas in the cockpit is recognisable. All halyards, sheets and trim lines are led below deck directly in front of the steering columns, where they can also be reached by the helmsman.
Further forward in the cockpit, guests sail along in a relaxed manner, freed from all manoeuvring tasks. As with the competition from Beneteau and Jeanneau, the new Dufour will also have a fixed tarpaulin bracket spanning the cockpit to free it from the mainsheet guide. Interesting: As an option, it will also be possible to attach a fixed bimini. Together with the sprayhood, the cockpit can be almost completely covered to protect against sun, wind and water.
The stern area has two side accesses to the large, folding bathing platform. In the centre, Dufour has added a large body that can be used as additional storage space. Optionally, a barbecue station with fridge and sink can also be installed here or a sun lounger can be folded out as an extension. There is plenty of space for this in the rear area. A gangway can also be extended electro-hydraulically from the stern. A large rear garage for the dinghy also opens up behind the bathing hatch.
Two reclining chairs integrated into the foredeck can be folded out in front of the mast - an extremely exciting detail and a novelty on the market. The Dufour 63 will be equipped with a self-tacking jib as standard. A code zero or a gennaker can be attached to the fixed bow nose. The anchor is also attached to it. As usual with Dufour, the design comes from the office of in-house architect Umberto Felci.
Unfortunately, the shipyard has not yet announced any information regarding the interior fittings; the layouts are still not available. We will provide this information on YACHT online as soon as possible. Dufour is announcing the new flagship as a world premiere for the boot trade fair in Düsseldorf in January 2017.
Test Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 62 at YACHT-TV
All new at Beneteau: the Oceanis Yacht 62 as the first representative of a new line
