The Dufour shipyard presented the Dufour 44 at the autumn boat shows, a sailboat with modern and well-thought-out fittings.
The Dufour shipyard continues to renew its range of sailboats. Following the Dufour 41, the Dufour 44 was unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival. This new 44-foot sailboat builds on the work of the Dufour teams, architect Umberto Felci, and designer Luca Ardizio since the launch of the Dufour 41. The goal is to offer the Dufour range even more light, space, and, of course, innovations.
Dufour Construction
The Dufour 44 sailboat is designed to deliver performance, safety, and comfort—the essential trio for every sailor.
The Dufour 44 hull is infused with polyester and reinforced with fiberglass, making it a strong and lightweight structure. The gelcoat of the hull is made with NPG resin, providing optimal protection against osmosis. This gelcoat layer is combined with a first fabric impregnated with vinylester resin, ensuring an effective barrier against water infiltration.
The hull bottom is counter-molded, and the frames are laminated to the hull.
The deck is made of sandwich construction with a PET foam core reinforced with glass, manufactured by injection. This design offers a perfect combination of lightness and strength, enhancing the boat’s handling.
Dufour 44: A Sailboat Designed for Peaceful Sailing
The cockpit of the Dufour 44 is both spacious and functional, providing a comfortable space for the crew during navigation. It is equipped with two large side lockers, both starboard and port, fitted with secure locking hatches, ensuring practical storage for equipment and supplies.
The dual wheel steering station is designed for precise control of the sailboat. The aluminum columns and the polyester POD with PMMA house the engine controls and offer a clear view of the instrumentation. Additionally, the presence of a port compass and complete instrumentation at the helm stations enhances safety and ease of navigation.
Finally, the cockpit features a polyester floor with a non-slip coating for optimal grip, as well as a foldable stainless steel swimming ladder for easy access to the water.
Quality Hardware and Amenities
The Dufour 44 hardware is designed for performance and comfort. The shroud chainplates are attached to the outside of the side decks, ensuring structural stability.
The self-tailing track integrated into the deck and the halyard system with a 4-part tackle and cascade allow for precise sail adjustments. Two roof winches facilitate the adjustment of the self-tailing jib, halyard, and mainsail sheet. Polyester sail tidies are located forward of the companionway for unobstructed sailing.
Reliable Rigging for Optimal Performance
The Dufour 44 rigging consists of an anodized aluminum mast with two spreader levels, securely fixed to the deck for optimal stability. The boom vang is equipped with a dedicated cleat on the boom. The anodized aluminum boom features two continuous reefing points, offering great versatility in sail adjustment.
The mainsail is equipped with two wide reefing bands, with battens and a bag, while the self-tailing jib on the furler has UV protection for increased durability.
A Bright and Airy Sailboat
The interior of the Dufour 44 is an example of marine craftsmanship and design, combining elegance and functionality to create a comfortable living space at sea. The boat is available in 3 layout versions, with 3 or 4 cabins. It meets the standards of today’s sailors and competes directly with the Bavaria C46 and Oceanis 45.
The fittings of this cruising sailboat are of high quality, with natural oak or teak veneer joinery and matching solid elements, adding a touch of warmth and charm to the entire interior. The laminated floors are both practical and easy to maintain, while the cabin doors are equipped with mechanisms to lock them in the open position, allowing for pleasant air circulation throughout the boat.
Comfort and Rest Assured
The Dufour 44 sailboat ensures the comfort of its crew with quilted fabric mattresses, guaranteeing restful sleep even in rough seas. The saloon cushions and mattress fabrics are covered with removable covers, making them easy to maintain and allowing for customization of the interior aesthetic. The ceiling lining adds a touch of sophistication to the ceiling, creating a warm atmosphere in the living spaces. The sailboat is available in several versions, including a 3-cabin configuration, 2 heads with a shower, and a longitudinal galley, offering a variety of options to meet the crew’s needs.
Light and Ventilation
The designers of the Dufour 44 have also placed great importance on the interior’s brightness and ventilation. The hull is fitted with 10 portholes, ensuring abundant natural light in the cabins. The side panels include 6 fixed portholes and 2 opening portholes to allow fresh air circulation. The roof panels consist of one size 44 porthole and two size 20 portholes, while the cockpit panels include 2 panels. On deck, you will find one size 60 porthole, two size 44 portholes, and two size 10 portholes, as well as 1 panel, guaranteeing a panoramic view of the ocean from inside.
Dufour 44 Technical Specifications
- Overall Length: 13.91 m
- Hull Length: 13.10 m
- Waterline Length: 12.23 m
- Beam: 4.45 m
- Light Displacement: Approx. 10,200 kg
- Draft: 2.2 m
- Ballast Weight: 2,850 kg
- Fuel Capacity: 250 L
- Water Capacity: 250 L + optional 180 L
- Engine Power: 50 hp
- Sail Area: Not specified
- Full Batten Mainsail: Not specified
- Self-tailing Jib: Not specified
- Genoa: Not specified
