Dufour Yachts to exhibit at London on Water 2018
Dufour Yachts, one of the worlds largest manufacturers of production luxury cruising yachts, will be exhibiting for the first time at London On Water 2018, the capital’s growing floating festival and on-water boat show.
On show will be the Dufour 382 Grand Large, a highly versatile yacht for family sailing, long distance cruising, boat sharing or chartering out. As well as being a great all-rounder, the 382 GL showcases many features available in her larger sisters, up to the 520 GL, and the 56 and 63 Exclusive Range.
Dufour’s UK dealers, including Universal Yachting from Hamble will be on hand to offer their advice to both first time owners and experienced cruising sailors alike.
Chris Warwick of Universal Yachting comments, “Dufour Yachts has led the way in fiberglass yacht production since the early 1960s, always pushing forward with innovative solutions for cruising excellence. The brand offers owners a unique combination of sailing performance, French build quality together and stylish design from the renowned Italian naval architect, Umberto Felci.”
Typical of the Dufour range, the 382 GL is designed with a high aspect rig for performance, and low gooseneck for safe and easily reachable sail stowage. In recent tests this 36’ model kept pace with a well-sailed, sporty 40’ production cruiser-racer in a force 4 breeze, when the larger yacht should have marched away.
Another common feature of the Dufour range is the mainsheet system, winch and sail controls which are led to within easy reach of the skipper, enabling all boats in the range to be easily sailed short-handed, especially if the rest of the crew are busy relaxing!
Dufour’s distinctly stylish yet discreet full length chines and wide transom adds considerable stability and reduces heeling motion, creating an overall nicely balanced, comfortable ride, with a turn of pace and yet easy to handle. As with most of the larger Dufour models, a 1.90m long keel and a deep rudder blade help provide stability and ease of control. Plus, there is the option for a shorter 1.6m keel for shallower cruising grounds or berthing.
Dufour’s research suggests their owners spend over 70% of their time above deck. Whichever size of yacht you choose, much detail has gone into creating a spacious, uncluttered cockpit for comfortably sailing with guests, as well as ample relaxation space when at anchor. The cockpit seats are long and wide ensuring plenty of room, free from control line clutter, for both sailing and sunbathing. A large cockpit table contains storage and on many models a handy deck fridge is concealed under the table.
Behind the twin steering wheels, the 382GL has the option of removable helmsman’s seats, as well as the side deck seating. Beneath the aft deck are two spacious stowage lockers for a liferaft and tender. On all models the full-width transom can be lowered down to become a generous bathing platform, which doubles as an easy landing and launching platform for a tender.
Below decks the instant impression is a light, contemporary and spacious living area. Sleek and flat on the outside, the injection moulded coach roof is constructed to give plenty of headroom below decks, yet provide a very strong, clean deck layout above deck. The low-profile coach roof also enables Dufour to fit their distinctive, recessed coach roof windows, side windows and opening hatches, which floods the interior with natural light.
Flexible interior layout options include options for two or three double cabins and the 382GL has a choice of L-shaped or full-length galley as well as multiple shower/heads. Large models also have a forward galley option and skippers berth. The choice of layout gives flexibility for carrying different crew numbers and guests on board, depending on your cruising preferences and planned use of the boat. The layouts with larger relaxation below decks are likely to be most popular in mixed climates. For sailing in predominantly hotter regions, where the majority of time is spent above deck, owners often select the two heads option.
Much thought has gone into how the space below is used when afloat and at anchor. In keeping with Dufour’s modular approach to interior design, typical features include extendable tables, sliding stools that can stow under the sofa, and a dual-purpose chart table can be dropped down to seat height to add further seating. As well as being light and bright, there is ample, secure storage in the saloon, galley and all cabins.
Dufour 382 GL Base price: €150,140 ex VAT. Options and extras available on request.
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