Dufour 48Ambitious line care

Michael Good

 · 29.05.2025

Transparent. The many large windows, the numerous hatches and the light strips on the cabin superstructure are striking. Overall, the look is just right.
Photo: Dufour Yachts / J.-M. Liot
Its predecessor, the Dufour 470, was only on the market for four years. Now the yacht builders in La Rochelle are already replacing their 14-metre tourer with a new model. YACHT has sailed the new Dufour 48 on Mallorca. The first photos from the test can be found here in the gallery.

A new boat every year: over the past three years, Dufour Yachts has continuously rebuilt its touring programme from the bottom up. The Dufour 37 was launched in 2022, the Dufour 41 was introduced in 2023 and the Dufour 44 celebrated its premiere last year in 2024. Here are the links to the full test reports at YACHT-Online:

But that's not all: at the Yachting Festival in Cannes, the French have already unveiled the next model in the series, the Dufour 48, which largely adopts the ship concept of its predecessor, the 470. Nevertheless, the new model also introduces some very exciting and relevant new features and changes. For example, the cockpit has been completely redesigned and now also features an arrangement with two tables in the cockpit. The arrangement allows a clear passage through the cockpit and, thanks to the lowerable table tops, large sunbeds can be installed on each side of the cockpit in combination with the cockpit dents.

Lots of variance on and below deck

The stern with the large, folding bathing platform has also been remodelled. Wide companionways to the water have been added on both sides. And the stern now also has an enclosed storage space for the life raft. Depending on the use, sailing area and requirements, the Dufour 48 can be equipped with either a self-tacking jib or an overlapping genoa with line-adjustable hoisting points on the cabin superstructure. Depending on requirements, the shipyard installs two or four winches for the sheets on the coamings in the cockpit. Two further winches for the halyards, reefing and trim lines are mounted on the side of the companionway on the cabin roof.

Interior layouts are available with three or four cabins, each with its own toilet room. In the owner's version with the very large island bed in the foredeck, this is divided up functionally: Washroom with WC on one side, shower room on the other. A further double cabin with two Pullman berths aft instead of a wet room aft is also possible as a variant.

Dufour quotes a base price of 355,000 euros for the new 48. Including 19% VAT, the price for buyers in Germany is 422,450 euros. A simple set of sails (main and genoa) is already part of the basic equipment, as is the built-in engine with an output of 57 hp.

The comprehensive test report on the Dufour 48 will soon appear in an upcoming issue of Yacht.

Technical data Dufour 48

  • Designer: Felci Yacht Design
  • Interior design: Ardizio Design
  • Hull length: 14.32 m
  • Overall length with bowsprit: 15.29 m
  • Waterline length: 12.23 m
  • Width: 4.85 m
  • Weight: 13.0 tonnes
  • Draught/alternative: 2.35 m (standard) / 1.75 (optional)
  • Ballast/proportion (standard keel): 3,8 t / 29%
  • Mainsail: 64.0 m2
  • Self-tacking jib: 42.0 m2
  • Genoa 106%: 53.0 m2
  • Motorisation: built-in machine 57 hp (std.) / 80 hp (opt.)
  • Motorisation variant: Electric hybrid
  • Fuel capacity: 250 litres
  • Fresh water capacity: 530 litres

Further links on the topic:

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