The development department at Dufour Yachts in La Rochelle is a hive of activity. Just a few days ago, the French company launched the Presentation of the new Dufour 460 The comprehensive overhaul of the Grand'Large travel programme has been completed. Now comes the next announcement, albeit for a completely different segment. With the Drakkar 24, Dufour is building a small, open sports boat just seven metres long for the first time.
In-house architect Umberto Felci drew up the plans. The Drakkar 24 is intended to be equally suitable as a sports boat for active sailing and for training and instruction as well as for simple daysailing - a real all-rounder. The boat, which weighs just 870 kilograms, has a retractable swing keel with a ballast content of 300 kilograms (34 per cent). The rudder blade is in a cassette and can also be raised in a single movement. This makes the boat easy to transport and can be launched and retrieved with little effort via a ramp.
The retractable bowsprit rests on the foredeck in a recessed channel. This means that the foredeck remains unobstructed and the volume above is sealed off and tight. The crew sits on the long cockpit thwarts, and sporty sailors enjoy the option of trimming the sails using the mainsheet traveller and backstay adjuster. The boat is sailed with a genoa or jib with additional options for a gennaker or spinnaker, depending on the intended use.
The price list and specifications for the Drakker 24 have not yet been finalised by the shipyard in La Rochelle. More information will follow.
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
