A Dynamic New Flagship Yacht

Dufour Yachts shifted its advertising and marketing technique two years in the past and did away with its Efficiency and Grand Massive differentiators, opting as an alternative to go along with a hybrid mannequin and a solitary quantity of their naming scheme.

This created a mixture yacht that’s each performance-oriented and widespread with cruisers, and the strategy appears to be working. The newly launched Dufour 61 turns into the second on this collection and the flagship of the French builder’s line.

Regardless of the change in positioning, Dufour continued with their design group, Felci Yacht Design. At first look, the Dufour 61 appears like a typical cruiser with a plumb bow, a protracted chine that builds inside quantity, a low coachroof and loads of beam. Under the waterline, nonetheless, she has the identical single rudder and deep keel because the builder’s earlier efficiency fashions.

The development features a strong fibreglass hull with an built-in structural grid topped by a cored and infused deck. The bow is blunt, and the drop-down transom is snub, maximising waterline size. The fractional rig has a tapered mast and triple aft-swept spreaders. The most effective sail plan for short-handed crusing is obtainable with a self-tacking jib and a Code 0 hooked up to the sprit.

On Deck

A ship should perform nicely each underneath sail and at anchor, and Dufour has improved the on-deck expertise from each views.

There are two winches set on an angle on both aspect of the working cockpit. It is a good separation, so crew dealing with sheets or halyards keep out of the way in which of the driving force.

As is normal with Dufour, all traces are led aft and the decks are clear. Crusing simplicity features a mainsheet hooked up up excessive on an arch which additionally holds a sprig dodger. Within the cockpit, twin helm stations are set on streamlined, angled pedestals with giant multi-function shows, devices and engine controls on superyacht-style binnacles.

The social cockpit is simply forward and contains a drop-leaf desk that hides an elective fridge and vast settees perfect for eating or napping. From right here it will get actually fascinating. There’s an elective sunbed between the wheels. It’s the place to lounge since you’re within the centre of the motion however nonetheless out of the way in which.

At anchor, the center part of the sunbed may be raised to type an athwartships desk whereas the ahead and aft sections of the pad function seats. It doubles the al fresco dinner visitor occupancy or types the quintessential children’ desk.

An elective outside galley is built-in into the transom the place the chef stands on the electrical drop transom to make use of the grill and sink. With the transom open, you’ll additionally discover a full dinghy storage that accommodates the tender with an outboard hooked up.

Down Under

Under, the Dufour 61 is paying homage to the various fashions that got here earlier than however now with much more alternative to make it your individual.

Structure choices embody three or 4 cabins and three or 4 heads, however the way in which the lodging may be switched up is stunning.

Our take a look at boat was arrange for correct proprietor cruising with the grasp within the bow and two cabins and heads aft. That leaves an open saloon with an L-shaped dinette and a folding desk to port, and a C-shaped couch to starboard.

The signature Dufour cut up galley separates the grasp stateroom from the saloon. To port is a double sink, a cooktop and a fridge/freezer, whereas to starboard is extra refrigeration and extra countertop area. With the galley ahead, the saloon advantages from the utmost beam of almost 16ft 6in.

The grasp stateroom is ahead and has a mattress offset to port and a big head within the bow. This cabin and the saloon, with its forward-facing navigation desk on starboard, stay the identical no matter the remainder of the configuration selections.

The galley may be positioned aft within the portside nook. This provides a small cabin with a single mattress and head which are excellent for an expert captain. With the galley right here, there’s room ahead for an over/underneath twin cabin on port and an extra head throughout on starboard.

One other strategy is to maintain half the ahead galley, put over/underneath bunks on starboard, skip the extra head and keep the structure of the opposite cabins as is. To my eye, Dufour’s signature cut up galley makes essentially the most sense for proprietor/operators.

This mannequin defines vibrant and ethereal with what might be referred to as an “array of sunshine” overhead. Triple mounted skylights lie forward of triple opening hatches and usher in plentiful gentle and air flow.

Add to that the hull and deck portlights and the choice of sunshine wooden and materials, and also you’ll by no means really feel buried within the hull. The match and end are fairly upmarket for a manufacturing boat and Dufour prides itself on their workmanship with good purpose.

Efficiency

The factor about crusing Dufour fashions is that they really feel stout, competent and pleasant. That final phrase can’t be underscored sufficient.

Right now’s measurement creep has put much less skilled or older sailors on some giant designs that may get out of hand rapidly. However the 61, like all Dufour yachts, is stately, measured and easy-going. With the self-tacking jib, there’s hardly something to do even in a tacking duel. She stays on her ft and builds confidence as she takes care of her homeowners.

Wind speeds of 15-20 knots are excellent for this design. On flat water, you possibly can count on to sail within the nine-knot vary and luxuriate in pointing as much as 40 levels the place the Dufour 61 remains to be comfy and doesn’t really feel overpowered.

An enormous boat requires a giant engine, and this mannequin affords a 175hp Volvo Penta diesel with a straight shaft that will get the job accomplished. Prime speeds are 9-10 knots, however an environment friendly cruise is extra round eight knots. The boat responds rapidly from a standstill because the prop pushes water straight over the only rudder. With a bow thruster, even this huge mannequin is a cinch to suit into the tightest of areas.

Dufour now markets 9 mannequin from 32-61ft and so they get higher wanting the larger they develop. Our take a look at boat was outfitted with a number of extras together with air-conditioning, genset, outside galley, electronics and extra.

Add commissioning, backside paint, supply and some different goodies, and you may count on a price ticket round US$1.3 million. She’s versatile and enticing and instils confidence in anybody impressed by wanderlust.

This text first appeared on Yacht Fashion.

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