The Dufour 61 – launching in 2021

Dufour will be undertaking the first sea trials on its new flagship, Dufour 61, in the coming weeks.

The company says it intends to present the yacht at Boot Dusseldorf in April and then undertake a tour of the Mediterranean.

Dufour says its DNA has been embodied in this model – its largest contemporary cruising yacht. That means it can sail upwind in 20 knots of true wind in open sea and be easily handled with a minimum crew and without the need for professional help.

The main bulkheads are made from solid GRP and laminated directly onto the hull and deck, all of which create a highly robust single structure, stiff hull and deck for ultimate sailing performance which Dufour considers essential for a yacht of this size.

With an overall sail area of 170m2, the yacht is supplied with optional in-mast or a traditional mainsail, self-tacking or overlapping headsails plus options to fly a variety of downwind sails from the integrated fixed bow sprit.

Dufour says that long hull chines offer a stable hull with increased performance as well as creating added volume below decks, all set off with half butterfly port holes.

The coach roof ends at the mast base to create a clean and spacious foredeck and wide side decks allow easy movement around the deck and numerous hand-holds together with a raised bulwark give greater security when moving around the deck at sea.