Dufour Develops Flagship Sailing Yacht For Potential December Launch
Owned by Fountaine Pajot, French sailing yacht builder Dufour is developing a flagship 61 that could be launched by the end of the year.
Dufour expects to launch its new flagship Dufour 61 in December 2020 or January 2021. Drawn by Felci Yacht Design, the yacht has an overall length of 63ft 1in (19.2m), a beam of 19ft (5.5m) and a draft of 9ft 2in (2.8m).
The Dufour 61 by Felci Yacht Design could launch in December or January
Based in La Rochelle, Dufour started the year at Boot Dusseldorf in Germany with the world premiere of its 530, which is currently the second-biggest boat in the French builder’s range, led by the 56.
The upcoming Dufour 61 features a fold-down swim platform that doubles as the door of the tender garage. There are two steering stations, with steps leading up to the starboard wheel, while each helm offers fold-down bench seats.
The Dufour 61 has a tender garage, drop-down swim platform and two steering stations
Sitting between the steering wheels is a clever, multi-purpose sunpad area with a movable back-rest. The aft panel can pivot upwards to reveal a grill and sink that can be accessed from the swim platform. The central panel can be raised to form a table between forward and aft bench seats.
In front is the more formal dining area, with two long sofas either side of an adjustable central table, which can fold out for al fresco dining.
An adjustable table provides comfortable al fresco dining
Below decks, large windows and portholes provide natural light and are the signature of the new Dufour line.
The 61 is available in three interior layouts, all featuring a forward full-beam owner’s suite with aft-facing bed, starboard sofa, lots of storage and an en-suite bathroom, while there’s also a single crew cabin in the bow.
Each of the three interior layouts includes a full-beam owner’s suite forward
The first two layouts feature double and twin en-suite guest cabins aft, the saloon midships and an open, C-shaped galley with fridge forward to port.
Layout one features a starboard twin cabin opposite the galley, while the second layout extends the galley so it becomes full beam, with more countertops, cupboards and storage areas to starboard.
Two of the Dufour 61’s three interior layouts feature a forward galley (top left)
The third layout replaces this whole area with a bunk-bed cabin to port and a bathroom to starboard that also doubles as a day head.
The galley has a more secluded location aft of the lounge, to port, and leads to a single cabin with en-suite bathroom, while the double cabin remains starboard.
The third layout features the galley beside the stairs, with double and single cabins aft
Dufour was founded by Michael Dufour in 1964 and bought by Fountaine Pajot in 2018
