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 at close intervals, following the Dufour 37 and the new Dufour 41. And, of course, Felci Yacht Design's long-standing design partners have once again been commissioned to design the new Dufour 44. The world première took place in January at the boot trade fair in Düsseldorf - to much acclaim.
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. On the new boat, Dufour is now installing a total of six winches in the cockpit as an option. 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. During the test in Brittany, this arrangement worked perfectly and also enabled extensive single-handed manoeuvrability. The buyer also has the choice of equipping the boat with an overlapping genoa with hoisting points on the coachroof or with a smaller self-tacking jib.
For charter only: four cabins, four bathrooms
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.
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 still a novelty and unique selling point in the class of cruising yachts with a hull length of around 13 metres.
In the test at between 12 and a maximum of 15 knots and a little swell, the Dufour 44 shows a thoroughly sporty side, surprising with lively sailing characteristics and a decent performance potential. The basic price ex shipyard (incl. sails and engine) is 353,430 euros gross, including 19% VAT. The full test report will be published in YACHT, issue 11/2024, available from mid-May 2024.
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
- Price: 353,430 euros, gross incl. sails and engine
