{"id":55461,"date":"2024-09-17T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=55461"},"modified":"2024-09-17T10:07:42","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T14:07:42","slug":"sailboat-review-dufour-41","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/sailboats\/sailboat-review-dufour-41\/","title":{"rendered":"Sailboat Review: Dufour 41"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Dufour <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n With naval architecture by Umberto Felci, the 41 is a solid performer, staying true to the brand\u2019s DNA.<\/span>\n Courtesy Dufour Yachts<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

When it comes to a discussion of the great European naval architects of contemporary times\u2014and it\u2019s a long list, indeed\u2014certain names immediately pop to mind. Many are French. Philippe Briand made his mark creating boats for a roster of production builders (Baltic, Jeanneau, CNB) before pivoting to the superyacht set (Perini Navi, Royal Huisman). Jean-Marie Finot was more or less the father of an era of the best Vend\u00e9e Globe solo round-the-world racers ever to compete in that grueling contest. Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Pr\u00e9vost (VPLP Design) are the current masters of offshore multihulls. The talented tandem of Jean Berret and Olivier Racoupeau are ubiquitous as the creators of many French brands, and sit at the forefront of their profession.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To me, however, one of the more underrated European \u00addesign mavens, and one who definitely belongs in that rarefied grouping, is Umberto Felci. While Felci was born in Milan and still operates from his base in Italy, I\u2019ve always considered him a huge influence in French \u00adboatbuilding\u00ad\u2014largely because of his longtime association with Dufour Yachts, where he\u2019s been the principal designer for some 15 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During that time, I\u2019ve sailed many a Felci boat, as he\u2019s been a consistent presence in Cruising World<\/em>\u2019s annual Boat of the Year contest<\/a>. He has won multiple times with his Dufour entries, including the 560 Grand Large (2014), the 382 Grand Large (2015), and the 520 Grand Large (2018). All of these Grand Large boats shared a similar DNA, and the Dufour booths at the major boat shows were easily \u00adrecognizable for their similar lines and matching beige canvas dodgers and sail covers. The only huge difference across the fleet was their respective sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All that changed in a big way in 2019, after the Fountaine Pajot group acquired Dufour and decided to make each new offering a singular model in form and styling. Which brings us to Felci\u2019s newest design, the Dufour 41.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Dufour <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n This boat looks and feels much larger than its 41 feet length overall.<\/span>\n Courtesy Dufour Yachts<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Aesthetically, it\u2019s safe to say that the bright-blue Dufour 41 at this past year\u2019s Annapolis Sailboat Show in Maryland was one of the more distinctive-looking yachts on display. It has a rounded bow, ample beam, and not one but two chines, both carried almost the entire length of the boat\u2014one just above the waterline, another just below the reverse sheer line, which is accentuated by prominent molded bulwarks. This boat looks and feels much larger than its 41 feet length overall. Forward, an integrated bowsprit for the ground tackle and the tack point for the asymmetric kite heightens the futuristic vibe. As does the series of three sleek windows in the hull (along with the additional pair of windows overhead in the coachroof). There is not a stick of timber to be found anywhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topsides, the \u00adcombination of wide side decks and outboard shrouds makes for easy egress when moving forward or aft. The emphasis on \u201coutdoor living\u201d is underscored by a generous cockpit with twin wheels (but, as with all Dufours, a single rudder, which makes backing down easier and with more control). There\u2019s also wraparound seating, including a cushioned daybed, as well as a drop-down transom, which doubles as the porch\/platform for the barbecue well aft. All this is revolved around a table\u2014a pretty sweet, comfortable layout that lends the impression of lounging aboard a much bigger boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the related equipment is first-rate. There\u2019s B&G instrumentation, including the chart plotter and autopilot; a Quick vertical windlass with helm controls for the Delta anchor; and a Side-Power (Sleipner) bow thruster, which I reckon is a luxurious touch on a 41-footer. Our test boat was set up with a nice set of Elvstr\u00f8m sails, including a traditional mainsail (an in-mast furling mainsail is available) with a cool stack-pack arrangement that tucks into itself and is secured with shock cords. For our Boat of the Year trials, we test all the emergency rudders, and the one on the 41 was exceptional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Construction is straightforward and robust. The hull is vacuum-infused with solid glass below the waterline and a foam core above. There are a pair of molded-in channels for the plumbing and electrical wiring. The plywood bulkheads are laminated to the hull. The keel is cast iron. And, as with every Dufour going back to the company\u2019s origins, a wine rack is stashed under the floorboards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ardizio Design is \u00adresponsible for the belowdecks accoutrements, accommodations and floor plan. Its team used those aforementioned chines and, more specifically, the voluminous interior that the chines created, to wide advantage. As with Dufour\u2019s other models, there are three packages of features, trim and equipment\u2014on the 41, these are labeled Adventure, Ocean and Performance\u2014depending on how the boat will be used (basic sailing, dedicated cruising or racing). With the 41, there are also two interior options: either three or four staterooms. Both have a straight-line galley to starboard, with the dining table and wraparound settee to port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Dufour <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Making full use of its 14-foot beam, the Dufour 41 has a large, bright interior.<\/span>\n Courtesy Dufour Yachts<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Our test boat had the three-stateroom layout, with a spacious master forward and a pair of double-berth staterooms aft. It also had three heads, which, to be honest, seems like a bit of overkill on a 41-foot boat. The second head, in the center of the boat, can be replaced with stowage, which is the setup I\u2019d prefer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 41 sports a double-\u00adspreader rig with swept-back spreaders and a self-\u00adtacking jib. The double-ended German-style mainsheet, anchored at midboom, is easily trimmed with a pair of electric winches (an optional electric winch for the mainsail is \u00adavailable). There\u2019s no traveler; after all, this is a cruising boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under power, the 50 hp Volvo Penta with a saildrive configuration had us zipping along at better than 6 knots. This was one of the quieter boats, decibel-wise, in the 2024 fleet. But we were all itching to hoist the sails, and we were not disappointed. At first, in a fitful breeze that was just filling in, we still made over 5 knots in 6 to 8 knots of wind. Soon enough, the pressure built into the 10- to 12-knot range, just in time to hoist the boat\u2019s big asymmetric kite. On a tight reach, we made an effortless 7.5 knots, and the helm was just delightful, with only a light three-finger touch required for full control.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n The 41’s \u201ccatamaran-style\u201d hull windows can be customized in terms of layout, performance level and overall ambience.<\/span>\n Courtesy Dufour Yachts<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Those Grand Large prizewinners from years past were, of course, all Felci designs. While this new Dufour looks absolutely nothing like its older siblings, it sails just as well, if not better. Felci may have changed the recipe under the company\u2019s new regime, but he hasn\u2019t forgotten that what we really want is pretty simple: We want to go for a fine sail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dufour 41 Specifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
LOA<\/td>41’1″<\/td><\/tr>
Beam<\/td>14′<\/td><\/tr>
Draft <\/td>6’1″<\/td><\/tr>
Sail Area<\/td>792 sq. ft.<\/td><\/tr>
Displacement<\/td>21,647 lb.<\/td><\/tr>
D\/L<\/td>155<\/td><\/tr>
SA\/D<\/td>18.1<\/td><\/tr>
Water<\/td>66 gal.<\/td><\/tr>
Fuel<\/td>66 gal.<\/td><\/tr>
Engine<\/td>Volvo Penta 50\u00a0hp with saildrive<\/td><\/tr>
Design<\/td>Felci Yacht Design<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Did You Know?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

French boatbuilders were pioneers in fiberglass-sailboat manufacturing. Naval architect\/engineer Michel Dufour joined their ranks in 1964 with the launching of the Sylphe, a radical (for its time) 21-foot pocket cruiser with a masthead rig and fin keel with attached ballast bulb. More than 400 were built in a 10-year production run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dufour has ramped up its introduction of new models in the past five years, and now has nine in production ranging from 37 to 61 feet, with a 44-footer on tap to be introduced in the United States this fall. Of that collection, the company\u2019s 41, 470 and 530 are all available with electric auxiliary-propulsion options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dufour has laid out an aggressive growth strategy, planning to introduce two models each year for the next several years, and replacing its entire fleet within four years. As for the 41, a company representative said that about a third of the run will go to private owners, a third will be purchased by charter operators, and a third will go into charter-management programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herb McCormick is a <\/em>CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In form, style and execution, the bold and colorfyl Umberto Felci-designed Dufour 41 is in a distinct class of its own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":55465,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Herb McCormick","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"","hydra_display_updated":false,"arc_story_id":"","arc_website_url":"","arc_subtype":"","arc_exclude_from_feeds":false,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":true,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":"","ad_settings_ads_on_this_page":true,"ad_settings_automatic_ad_injection_into_the_content":true,"ad_targeting":"","alternate_title_newsletter":"","alternate_content_newsletter":"","sponsored_image":false,"sponsored_url":"","social_share":true},"categories":[167],"tags":[282,459,2051,227,195],"class_list":["post-55461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sailboats","tag-boat-of-the-year","tag-dufour-yachts","tag-print-september-2024","tag-sailboat-reviews","tag-sailboats"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55461","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55461"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55461\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}