Dufour Catamarans 48: the shipyard enters the multihull market with a concept designed by Felci

A new concept and a well-established brand presented at the same event. It’s with these two clear messages that Dufour has joined the Paris Boat Show this year.

The big news is the last creation of the shipyard, the Dufour Catamarans 48. It’s indeed the first time that the La Rochelle-based boatyard has built a multihull model, entering this way a market segment that is significantly growing these years all around the world and in the Mediterranean, too.

The shipyard could not go further without the talented designers Umberto Felci and Lorenzo Giovannozzi to draw the lines of its first catamaran, in line with the Dufour Yachts philosophy on which they have been working over the last few years.

What we saw in Paris is just the concept of the Dufour Catamarans 48; yet, even though we are moving in a universe completely different from the motorboats’ one, the new boat clearly reflects the distinctive symbols of the Dufour touch. Elegant and streamlined lines, enhanced by the reversed bows of the hulls, the distinctive porthole shapes and the optimization of the spaces within a well-balanced combination of elegance, and advanced performances, are the calling card of this new catamaran.

” We have developed an innovative catamaran – Umberto Felci said – in line with the Dufour Yachts philosophy on which we have been working over the last few years. The Dufour 48 keeps the codes of the Dufour identity, specifically with the hull lines and their inserts, the porthole shapes and the clean deck plan”.

The launch of the first model is scheduled to take place in early summer. For the time being, the first renderings and the scale model speak the language of performances and easy handling.

The sail plan is powerful: 124 square metres, 48 of which are reserved for the jib which, in order to ensure the above-mentioned easy handling, is self-tacking. In addition, the mast was pulled back on the center line in order to balance the weights and limit tensions on the mainsail. At the bow, a bowsprit can support a Code 0 or a gennaker.

The project includes a wide deck plan and many relaxation areas. Of course, a key element of exteriors is the flybridge, designed as a second cockpit. Equipped with a large sofa and a table located just behind the helm station and a wide sunbathing area positioned before the rudder, it is not only an area dedicated to manoeuvres but also a space which makes the external surface available to guests significantly wider.

In the helm station, three winches are at arm reach in order to maximize security and easy handling.

Designed to satisfy the requirements of both owners and charters, the new catamaran is offered in different versions, with different layouts and a variable number of cabins (up to 5). One of this version includes a huge owner’s cabin which, occupying the entire port hull, benefits from wide volumes and an en-suite bathroom.

Of course, the dinette is very spacious, equipped with a large dining zone and a fully-equipped galley.

At the bow, just next to the large glazed surface, the console features a large screen replicating all the equipment available on the flybridge along with a joystick to steer the catamaran from inside.

All the catamarans of the new Dufour range will be built in the Forli-based production site.

Technical Specs

Length Overall       14.70 m

Width               8 mt

Draft               1,30 m

Displacement        15,000 kg

Water Tank Capacity                      700 l

Fuel Tank Capacity            900 l

Engines     2X 50 hp