Cruising World Boat of the Year, 2011: Dufour 45e

Cruising World Magazine has awarded the Dufour 45e (Performance Line) the coveted “2011 Best Cruiser Award.”

As exclusive dealers for Dufour Yachts in Florida and California, Denison Yacht Sales is available to provide more details and pricing info on all new Dufour models, including the Dufour 45e.

Dufour 45e – Full Specs and Photo Galley

Dufour Specialists, California:
Nereus Dastur / 310.821.5883
Bill Petersen / 310.871.1977
Denise George / 310.490.9432

Dufour Specialists, Florida:
Mike Kiely / 954.304.2768
Kevin Frawley / 954.790.0371
Andrew Parkinson / 954.536.7443

Details from the Cruising World announcement/ article:

Winning Details

• The boat’s overall sailing performance is outstanding.
• It’s easy to sail singlehanded since both the double-ended mainsheet and jib sheets lead to winches near the wheels.
• The accommodations plan is spacious and comfortable.

When it came to pick a winner in the 40-footer category, the BOTY judges had to decide between three relatively similar performance-oriented boats; two were actually built by the same company.

But when they got down to the nitty-gritty of deck layouts, accommodations space, and, in particular sailing performance, the Dufour 45e rose to the top with ease.

Unlike some boats that really made an impression on the judges at the dock, the 45e caught their attention out on the water as soon as they started taking turns at the helm. During deliberations, they all agreed that it was one of the best sailing boats they evaluated during their four days of sea trials. One judge described the helm as feeling “dreamy,” and they all appreciated the easily driven hull’s clean wake and a sail plan that’s both powerful and easy to control.

The test sail illustrates this point beautifully; The judges recorded 7.5 knots of boat speed while sailing in a mere 10 knots of breeze. Judge Tim Murphy found he had no trouble trimming both the main and the jib while steering, and tacking the boat singlehanded was straight-forward, thanks to the double-ended mainsheet led back to winches at the wheels. The judges noted that the job telltales were also clearly visible to the helmsman.

The wide cockpit has good backrests and brace points so the crew remains secure in a seaway. And there’s plenty of room to lounge when not working. When it’s down, the drop-down swim platform provides a wide space from which to board the boat from the water; when it’s up, it provides a secure feeling in the cockpit.

In addition to the boat’s superior sailing performance, the judges felt its stylish and functional accommodations plan could work well for a family. The saloon settees are spacious, comfortable, and also provide two long sea berths. There’s cabinets along the hull in the sakiin and under all the seat cushions. The Owner’s cabin forward has a good-size double bunk, an en suite head, and plenty of stowage, and the C-shaped galley has the gimbaled stove and the counter and storage space you’ll need to comfortably prepare meals during voyages of a week or longer.

About Dufour Yachts: For 45 years Dufour Yachts has designed and delivered award-winning sailing yachts. Distinguished styling, and racing performance, combined with family comfort has given Dufour an internationally-known reputation for excellence.

Since 1965 Dufour’s high-performance hull lines and elegant interiors have captured the imagination of Europe’s most discerning yachting enthusiasts seeking a sailing yacht that is set apart.

We invite you to contact us for more information about this exciting new addition to our portfolio. The Grand’Large line consists of seven boats, the 325, 375, the new 405, 425, 455, 485 and 525, and the Performance line consists of three, the 34E, 40E and 45E.