Dufour 44
A family cruiser that has so many interior options there’s sure to be one to suit
Dufour is a French builder that has been around as long or longer than I have been designing. Its Arpege model was hugely successful and began life as a half-tonner. This new Dufour is aimed at the cruising market and comes with a multitude of optional layouts, with three or four staterooms. Obviously I only have the word count space here to feature one layout. I have chosen a three-stateroom layout that I think works best for most cruising groups.
The hull form is typical of what we see today with an L/B of 3.08 and a D/L of 143. I am assuming the listed LOA includes the fixed bowsprit. The ends are plumb or near plumb in an effort to max out the usable interior volume. Max beam is carried well aft and the half angle of entry, if measured at the deck line, is also full. Again, all focus in this hull shape by designer Felci Yachts Design is on squeezing as much accommodations into the hull as possible, a reoccurring theme today when emphasis is on providing a good layout for chartering.
Draft is 7 feet 3 inches with a bulbed fin. From the drawings I received I am going to guess this boat has a single rudder. Note how far aft the deepest point of the canoe body is, back where you need it for good accommodations aft. There is a chine that runs from stem to stern that will add beam where its needed for interior volume. There is another chine just below the deck edge that I assume is for aesthetics and it does look good while lowering the look of the apparent freeboard.
The owner’s suite forward is very nice with a shower stall to starboard and head to port, similar to the layout of the Outbound design. There are hanging lockers port and starboard. The quarterberth cabins are bigger than adequate and share a head to starboard. I’m not sure what that space to port is but my best guess is a large shower stall. The problem with these fancy, artistic renderings is that they tend to lack the detail of true designer’s drawings so I can’t accurately define the features. Forgive me, I’m 78 years old and pining for the good old days. On the other hand I know for some of you the rendered layouts are easier to read.
The deckplan shows a low, raised cabintrunk with no opening ports. There are five deck hatches over the living spaces that will provide the ventilation. The side decks are totally clear with a self-tacking jib track on top of the cabintrunk and what looks like sail track port and starboard aft for sheeting overlapping headsails. Halyards are lead aft to winches flanking the companionway. Primary and secondary sheet winches are forward on the cockpit coaming forward of the twin wheels. It looks like there is a fold-down swim step flush with the transom. The anchor is carried on the short sprit.
The rig is a three-spreader rig with swept spreaders and chainplates as far outboard as possible. The SA/D is a healthy 23. There is no mainsheet traveler. I think it’s obvious that a formula has been established for these family or charter production cruising boats. I’m sure it works fine especially with all those interior layout options. But it doesn’t help much when I try to write an interesting review. But, the market gets what the market wants.
LOA 45’; LWL 40’3”; Beam 14’8”; Displ. 22,487 lb.; Ballast 6,283 lb.; Draft 7’3”; Auxiliary 50-hp; Fuel 66 gal.; Water 66 gal.; D/L 143; L/B 3.08 SA/D 23
Atlantic Cruising Yachts
312 Third Street, Suite 102
Annapolis, MD 21403
844-567-3087
www.atlantic-cruising.com
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