With the new ship, the yacht builders in La Rochelle are retiring the predecessor model, the Dufour 430 Grand Large, after a market presence of just five years. At the same time, the new model generation is being updated and added to in close succession, following the Dufour 37 and the new Dufour 41which can now also be seen as a novelty at the trade fair. And, of course, the long-standing design partners from Felci Yacht Design have once again been commissioned to design the new Dufour 44.
The design and layout on deck were generously adopted from the smaller Dufour 41. However, the designers have provided more space between the helm stations and the coaming and also installed a step to make it easier to get from the cockpit to the running deck. The steps also serve as a locker for the lines. What's more, Dufour has now installed a total of six winches in the cockpit of the new boat. This means that the sheets for the mainsail and genoa can be operated individually on both sides and do not necessarily have to be folded down during manoeuvres. The buyer also has the choice of having the boat equipped with an overlapping genoa with hoisting points on the coachroof or with a smaller self-tacking jib.
The arrangement below deck is also interesting. The most striking detail is the hexagonal saloon table. With additional stools, up to eight people can sit together in the saloon. The concept also shows flexibility for the extension in the saloon, where the galley can either be built at the front of the main bulkhead or alternatively to the side of the saloon.
Dufour 44: great variety for owners and charterers alike
For owners, the boat is built with three very generously equipped double cabins, each with its own bathroom and with the option of using one of the two aft heads as a separate shower cubicle. The toilet room and shower are also separate in the foredeck. Two cabins and two toilet rooms are possible in the foredeck for use in yacht charters. This means that Dufour can offer the boat with a maximum of four double cabins, each with its own bathroom, which is a first in the class of cruising yachts with a hull length of 12 metres. Of course, all possible combinations of layout variants are also possible.
The standard version of the Dufour 44 is equipped with a 50 hp built-in engine and saildrive. Alternatively, the yacht builders in La Rochelle also offer an electric drive with an output of 27 kW for the "Smart Electric" version of the boat. This guarantees an autonomy of five hours at a cruising speed of five knots.
The first price announcement for the Düsseldorf trade fair is 353,430 euros including 19% VAT, with installation machine and the single set of Dacron sails.
Technical data Dufour 44
- Designer: Felci Yacht Design
- Interior design: Ardizio Design
- Hull length: 13.10 m
- Total length: 13.91 m
- Waterline length: 12.23 m
- Width: 4.45 m
- Weight: 10.2 tonnes
- Draught: 2.20 m
- Ballast/proportion: 2.85 t/28 %
- Motorisation: Built-in diesel 36.7 kW (50 hp)/ Saildrive
- Fuel capacity: 250 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 250 litres
