First photos of the new Dufour 44 (14m), Felci’s midsize cruiser

Cannes 2023, Dufour Yachts had announced to us its new mid-size cruiser, the Dufour 44, a 13.9-meter designed for lovers of cruising and (comfortable) exploration. If, at the time, the shipyard had provided a preview of the hull through renderings (we had provided you with our preview HERE), now the boat is ready and, finally, we will soon be able to see it live. First, however, here are the first photos of it.

Dufour 44, the New Mid-Size Cruiser

Designed by Felci Yacht Design, the new Dufour 44 presents itself first and foremost as a hull with important volumes, kept slender and slender, however, thanks to several design solutions of aesthetic value, yes, but also functional. Taking full advantage of the volumes, and the 4.45-meter beam, on the other hand, the deck and cockpit are particularly spacious and follow both lessons in ergonomics and rational, functional approaches to short-handed sailing, while offering capacious and spacious interiors, strong with 4 different layout options, for varying numbers of cabins and bunks. On the latter juncture, the “interior” signature, however, is by Ardizio Design.

Dufour 44 – Deck Plan

Given the volumes (13.9 x 4.45 m), the Dufour 44 looks like an “abundant” hull, a boat capable of exploiting every single inch to offer as much as possible to the comforts on board. Its volume, however, does not detract from its aesthetic component, a factor already evident by looking at its “design” alone. In fact, to slender the freeboard, sharp edges and large broadside windows come into play, a solution that not only gives visual balance but also plays its own role on the weight distribution and interior lighting front. The vertical forehand, in turn, reduces momentum, offering, in addition, both a sharp-edged recess that lightens the hull under the foresail, and a forward dolphin bay that, in addition to accommodating the anchor nose, proves critical for advancing the tack points of both the jib and potential asymmetric sails.

Looking at the deck and livability, as well as the ergonomics, of this one, the first highlight is found at the extreme stern, with the now traditional fold-down swim platform increasing the livable spaces, also lending itself as a small beach area. Here, sandwiched between the two steps leading to the cockpit, we also find the arrangement of the survival raft. Just in the cockpit, twin wheelhouses offer full instrumentation, signed B&G, electronic partner of the French shipyard.

It is, however, between the wheelhouse and the companionway that the cockpit really comes to life, where two benches facing a central table create an excellent outdoor convivial space. A design that, however, closed table does not limit ergonomics let alone maneuvering, offering ample space for the enjoyment of the two winches placed on each tack, as well as the two winches positioned in the deckhouse. The former, dedicated to steering mainsail and headsails, the latter, intended for halyards and rigging brought back to the cockpit from the mast foot. A layout that is now commonplace and reduces movement toward the bow, as well as the resulting risks in more complex seas.

Finally, the deckhouse offers the classic “long” profile, that is, it runs all the way past the mast foot, thus avoiding the flush deck, but offering superior interior skies and more light thanks to the glass windows installed here. Only the extreme bow is thus freed, but leaving enough space for it to be used as a relaxation area, both in roadstead and in quieter sailings.

Dufour 44 – Interior Layout

Shifting the focus below deck, Dufour and Ardizio Design propose, first and foremost, a versatile design capable of offering owners up to 4 different layouts to choose from. We find the main differences on two elements: number of cabins and location and size of the kitchen.

In the case of the cabins, the two solutions offered cover (L1, L2 vs. L3, L4), first of all, a rather simple distinction: if in the case of Layouts 1 and 2 aft there are two double cabins against a single large forward owner’s cabin, in Layouts 3 and 4, the large forward cabin is dispensed with, in favor of two doubles. The latter, evidently, intended as an ideal option for the charter world. These configurations, essentially increase the number of guests in the cabin from 6 to 8, to which must, however, be added the two extra seats in the dinette.

The second main difference between the layouts is the layout of the dinette. Here, depending on the owner’s choice, starboard tack may have a sofa area followed by a refrigerator and stove area, complemented port tack by a sink area and a large table with sofa, convertible to extra berth (L1 & L3). In case, however, you want to favor the galley, you can opt to have the latter extended along the entire starboard broadside, at the sacrifice of the second sofa, while maximizing the relative kitchen and dinette spaces on the opposite walls. The last variation, among the options, is the number of toilets, which, depending on the configuration chosen, varies between the 2, 3 or 4 services available.

Layout aside, they look at the design and craftsmanship of the elements, the interior spaces are dominated by light and warm wood tones, complemented by inserts and cooler tones, thus offering bright and modern environments. The adoption of upholstered stool seats also not only provides better space management in respect to the dining table placed in the dinette, but also offers the possibility of integrating these with the starboard wall sofa (in layouts where it is provided), thus creating an additional lounge area below deck. In the case of the photos presented, referring these to Layout 1, this use is as evident as ever.

Water lines and rigging

Coming to the aspects that actually make a sailboat one, first a look at the rigging. The new Dufour 44 is, in fact, a sloop rigged at 7/8, and thus with the genoa’s penning point just below the mainsail’s pen, to which the halyard halyard of asymmetrical rigs is instead equal. The mast is strong with a significant aft inclination and boasts 2 distinct orders of spreaders. The sail area (white) is 100 square meters, of which 46 is genoa, and 53 is mainsail.

Looking below the waterline, however, we find a design that favors, first and foremost, the single blade, a solution that promotes hydrodynamics. Looking instead at the drift, we find a fin with a ballasted bulb totaling 2850 kilograms.

Data Sheet