Dufour 54 review: Just how much sailing performance lies beneath the hardtop?

​A flagship is more than just the largest model in a range. It is the shipyard’s flagship, a showcase for technology and an embodiment of the brand’s values all at once. It must demonstrate what a shipyard stands for, what its priorities are and how convincingly its ideas can be realised even on a larger scale. Expectations of the top-of-the-range model are correspondingly high.

​​Further links on this topic

• The smaller sister ship, the Dufour 48, in the YACHT test
• A new generation of luxury motor yachts: Oyster is working on a new 515
• Breehorn 55: A fine example of Dutch yachtbuilding

At Dufour, this demanding role is now taken on by the new 54. It replaces the previous Dufour 530 at the top of the range and consistently takes this ambitious model series into the next size category up. However, the new Dufour 54 is by no means the brand’s largest yacht. With the Dufour 61 and, previously, the Dufour 63 Exclusive, the yacht builders in Périgny near La Rochelle had already had significantly larger yachts in their range; however, both models are no longer in production.

Dufour Yachts has therefore deliberately scaled back its range at the upper end and focused increasingly on the volume-oriented size categories. This makes the intensive model updates of recent years all the more remarkable. In an unusually short space of time, the shipyard has revamped its entire range in collaboration with the designers at Felci Yacht Design in Italy. Hardly any other large-scale shipyard has recently unveiled as many newly developed cruising yachts as Dufour.

6.8 knots despite the furling mast, short keel and hardtop

​During the test off La Rochelle, the test vessel’s configuration does not, at first glance, suggest any particularly sporty ambitions. Hull number nine in the series is fitted with a heavy furling mast, the short keel variant with a draught of just 2.00 metres and the optional hardtop – features that are geared more towards comfort and ease of handling than maximum performance. Added to this is a furling mainsail without battens, which sits extremely flat and develops hardly any effective profile. At least the test boat is fitted with the optionally available, larger genoa instead of the standard self-tacking jib.

Specifications of the Dufour 54

This makes the boat’s performance in the test all the more surprising. In winds of 8 to 10 knots, the Dufour 54 accelerates to a speed of up to 6.8 knots whilst maintaining a true wind angle of around 45 degrees. Given the clearly comfort-oriented fit and finish, these are remarkably good figures. The new flagship gets going readily, maintains a steady pace and gives the impression that there is significantly more performance potential in the hull and rig than the test boat’s configuration would initially suggest. With the standard three-sail rig, an optional sail upgrade and the standard deep keel with a draught of 2.40 metres, significantly better performance figures could certainly be expected.

Hardtop: pros and cons

The hardtop, too, is not conducive to sailing performance. The structure, built using the RTM injection moulding process, requires the optional targa bar, which can also be ordered separately. However, with around 130 kilograms for the bar and a further 150 kilograms for the roof, quite a bit of weight is added on board and higher up. This makes it all the more remarkable how rigid the Dufour 54 feels under sail during the test – a clear indication of the high structural rigidity of the Felci design.

​Dufour now offers the hardtop across its entire model range. According to the shipyard, charter companies now order their boats from Dufour almost exclusively with the fixed cockpit canopy. The solution is also becoming increasingly popular with owners. The reason for this becomes clear during the test, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees: the hardtop provides reliable shade, offers effective protection from the sun and ensures a pleasant breeze underneath whilst in the bay. Freedom of movement on deck is also hardly affected by the fixed roof.

The only drawback is the restricted view of the sails. Furthermore, the structure does not appear to be particularly robust. According to the shipyard, whilst the roof is accessible, you should only stand on it directly above the targa bar. This means that, whilst the hardtop is an attractive option, it works best in combination with a furling mast, as on the test boat.

​Excellent steering feel, limited one-handed operation

As with the smaller Dufour 44 and 48 models, the shipyard has provided more space between the helm stations and the seating areas, as well as a step to make it easier to get from the cockpit onto the running deck. The coaming is now shorter and the gap to the helm station has become larger. From his position at the wheel, the helmsman has difficulty reaching the rear of the two winches and has to leave the helm to trim the sails. This detracts somewhat from the boat’s suitability for single-handed sailing.

Furthermore, the coxswain sits unusually low on the side of the wheel on the rear running deck, which is not very comfortable over long periods and can even be tiring. The rower is compensated for this, however, with excellent steering feel. The relatively large and flat single oar ensures optimum control with a pleasantly light, yet still clearly perceptible, rowing resistance.

​The Ocean Package for keen sailors

As standard, the Dufour 54 is fitted with just two winches on the companionway. This is sufficient for the straightforward handling of the self-tacking jib and the simple mainsheet system, for example when used for charter.

For owners who enjoy a more active and sporty style of sailing, the shipyard has put together the Ocean equipment package. It includes adjustable cleats for an overlapping genoa, a traveller on the cockpit floor for the double-sided mainsheet (German Cupper), deck fittings for use with a Code Zero or gennaker, and two additional 60-series winches for the sheets.

The following illustrates just how versatile the Dufour 54 is below deck: Part Two of the YACHT test. This covers 16 layout combinations, three to five twin cabins, two galley configurations, the quality of the interior fit-out and the base price, adjusted for equipment levels.

​The Dufour 54 in detail

Technical specifications of the Dufour 54

• ​Design engineer: Felci Yacht Design
• ​CE design category: A
• Fuselage length: 15.90 m
• Total length: 16.84 m
• Waterline length: 14.85 m
• Width: 5.25 m
• Draught/alternatively: 2.40/2.00 m
• Mast height above water level: 24.00 m
• Theoretical fuselage speed: 9.3 knots
• Weight: 16.6 tonnes
• Ballast/proportion: 4.9 t/30 per cent
• Mainsail: 77.0 m²
• Self-tacking jib (standard): 56.0 m²
• Engine (Yanmar): 59 kW/80 PS
• Fuel tank (rotomoulded): 430 l
• Fresh water tank (rotomoulded): 430 litres
• Waste tank (per bathroom): 50 l
• Batteries: 1 × 94 Ah plus 4 × 140 Ah

​Hull and deck construction

GRP sandwich, vacuum-infused with a foam core and PET foam (top layer).

​Classic or furling mast

The high rig from Z-Spars, with three spreaders, forms the basis. The furling mast costs an additional 7,000 euros.

Service of your choice

The standard specification is the Yanmar inboard diesel engine (4JH80) with 80 PS, a Saildrive propulsion system and a three-bladed fixed propeller. The upgrade to 110 PS with a four-bladed folding propeller costs 21,450 euros.

OdSea+ as an alternative

The electric hybrid powertrain comprises an electric motor, a generator, a lithium battery and a control unit. The price of the system has not yet been announced.

Despite being clearly designed for comfort, the Dufour 54 sails surprisingly well. With a boat like this, would you be more inclined to invest in better sails or prioritise on-board comfort? Share your thoughts in the comments.