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 will make its debut this year in 2024. Here are the links to the full test reports at YACHT-Online:
But that's not all: the French have now announced the next model in the series, the Dufour 48, at the Yachting Festival in Cannes. This news comes as something of a surprise. After all, the predecessor model, the 470, was only launched in 2021 and will have to vacate its place in the shipyard programme after just four years on the market. The reason for this is understandable: Dufour Yachts is now aiming to implement the standardised and brand-typical look in the higher length segments and update the ship concepts accordingly, following the dedicated line expansion in the smaller to medium-sized boats. Hardly any other shipyard is proceeding as consistently as Dufour Yachts at present. And the shipyard seems to be sparing no expense for this extremely ambitious line maintenance.
Fresh look and lots of exciting details
The new Dufour 48 largely retains the ship concept of its predecessor, the 470, but 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, which is also increasingly seen in the length class among the competition. Two tables allow free passage through the cockpit. And, thanks to the lowerable table tops, large sun loungers can be installed on each side of the cockpit in combination with the cockpit thwarts.
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. However, the sail areas have not yet been specified by the shipyard. Apparently, Dufour is still working on the sail plans.
The interior can be configured 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. Another option is a further double cabin with two Pullman berths aft instead of a wet room aft. And if you wish, you can also have an additional cabin for the skipper in the sailing cabin at the bow. The different variants for the extension below deck can be viewed in the picture gallery above.
Construction number one of the new Dufour 48 will be ready in spring 2025 and will be launched for initial tests. The world premiere will then take place in around a year's time at the Yachting Festival in Cannes. However, Dufour Yacht has not yet announced a base price or an initial price classification.
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%
- Sail areas: not yet defined
- Motorisation: built-in machine 57 hp (std.) / 80 hp (opt.)
- Motorisation variant: Electric hybrid
- Fuel capacity: 250 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 530 litres
