All new Dufou 41

[lustyd]

People new to sailing will buy these things spanking new - holiday home yippee !- and therefore won’t necessarily know what they might be missing ..
A couple of challenging ( uncomfortable )passages and the marina-centric lifestyle quickly becomes de facto

Of course, some very experienced people will buy one too. Not everyone wants a 70's design. There's nothing marina centric about these, they're fine at anchor.

Making room for ensuite king size bedroom and jacuzzi ?

Our bed is larger than a king size on board. That's not a bad thing.

 

[Wansworth]

The human being has not radically changed over modern times but yacht designed has metamorphosed from designs based ona tradition of actual seagoing.In my time at sea from dinghies to coasters I found the best place was to be wedged in so I could read ,doze etc or hang on to my plate sitting around the cabin table.Theincreasing emphasis seems to pretend you are livingin a new York attic apartment that functions well when Level.I admit I must be a yachting Luddite and have no actual experience of these new yachts,so it would’ve interesting to hear how they are in real sea going Mode

 

[lustyd]

tradition of actual seagoing

You must spend many days at sea to think it's such an issue, and your planning must be poor to have such terrible experience of passage making. Don't you enjoy the places you visit too?

On our two month cruise this summer we probably spent a total of 5-6 days at sea and 45 anchored or moored. We didn't experience any weather at sea that would necessitate such design choices - we used modern planning tools and stayed put if heavy weather was incoming. We enjoyed the spacious deck (wanted more space to lay out if truth be told). We enjoyed our larger than king size bed. We enjoyed the good kitchen and spacious shower.

We didn't have any problems while at sea whatsoever. The bed was comfy, we read while leaning against the "headboard" (aka side of boat).

 

[LittleSister]

It may not take 25 years before those challenges arise. Our friends have a Jen 45 deck saloon. At 10 years the windows started to leak. They have had real difficulty getting those windows rebedded and leak free. The fact that the side ones are curved doesn't help. But all four have leaked badly. They have a very low opinion of Jenneau as a builder. They are now considering a new Oyster. I wonder how that will compare.
There is a new Oyster 48 anchored behind us. I watched them anchor last night. I thought the skipper was standing on the seat then realised he was standing on the cockpit floor. I wonder what the motion would be like at sea. The boom is so high to clear the cockpit as well. Oh, and it rolls a lot at anchor. Not all design development is progress
Edit: typo. The windows started to leak at 10 years. Corrected that

It's not just the boat going downhill fast that's the problem.

Think about the impact on the owners as their moral fibre rots as a result of all that comfort and luxury! ?

 

[Clancy Moped]

Nextdoors shagged out fenders would make a right mess of that!

 

[Wansworth]

You must spend many days at sea to think it's such an issue, and your planning must be poor to have such terrible experience of passage making. Don't you enjoy the places you visit too?

On our two month cruise this summer we probably spent a total of 5-6 days at sea and 45 anchored or moored. We didn't experience any weather at sea that would necessitate such design choices - we used modern planning tools and stayed put if heavy weather was incoming. We enjoyed the spacious deck (wanted more space to lay out if truth be told). We enjoyed our larger than king size bed. We enjoyed the good kitchen and spacious shower.

We didn't have any problems while at sea whatsoever. The bed was comfy, we read while leaning against the "headboard" (aka side of boat).

As I said I was a Luddite so interesting to hear I am misguided in my view and your right more time is spent at anchour or in a marina

 

[Blueboatman]

Well I’ve owned a lightweight fin and skeg , it was pretty good except at sea in a seaway ..

It had a deeeeep one piece mattress and padded quarter seats at the pushpit, big windows n all
Each to their own and I am all in favour of trying as many boats as you can

 

[Supertramp]

You must spend many days at sea to think it's such an issue, and your planning must be poor to have such terrible experience of passage making. Don't you enjoy the places you visit too?

On our two month cruise this summer we probably spent a total of 5-6 days at sea and 45 anchored or moored. We didn't experience any weather at sea that would necessitate such design choices - we used modern planning tools and stayed put if heavy weather was incoming. We enjoyed the spacious deck (wanted more space to lay out if truth be told). We enjoyed our larger than king size bed. We enjoyed the good kitchen and spacious shower.

We didn't have any problems while at sea whatsoever. The bed was comfy, we read while leaning against the "headboard" (aka side of boat).

That's a good counter argument and your point about days at anchor vs sailing is well made. I favour traditional design and layout but I know which my kids prefer.

I wouldn't choose its design to cross oceans in but I see the appeal for family/group sailing. And you have to sail it to be able to judge and compare it, including its build quality.

The original post was about looks and if you grew up aspiring to elegant lines then it won't be at the top of your list. But then you probably have to settle for cramped berths, dark interior and only one toilet.....

 

[lustyd]

it was pretty good except at sea in a seaway

But then, it's never fun at sea in a seaway anyway. I totally get the argument for ocean crossings, but even the boats that cross oceans don't do it often.

I was looking at boats recently and was tempted by a centre cockpit. Great accommodation, nice at sea, terrible on deck in the sun. Then I looked at a BenJenBav something and the deck looked amazing for a bbq and some snorkelling in an anchorage but the accomodation wasn't great and the twin wheels at the stern looked terrifying at sea. No idea which way to go, all the sensible ocean boats look terrible to live on or even enjoy life on. Ultimately I think I'll probably go with a modern fin keeler with spacious cockpit to tick the living life box.

As you say, try all the boats and make a choice.

 

[lustyd]

I wouldn't choose its design to cross oceans

ah but how about for one ocean once? How often do you realistically plan to cross oceans? I think this is why designs have evolved, people are more realistic about what they want. It's very British to sit in a mini with a sofa on the roofrack laughing at those idiots in the massive 4x4s ?

 

[Zagato]

Blimmen pontoons... keep breaking free!

 

[Wansworth]

At least the new Dufour has got it right with three toilets for six people ?

 

[Blueboatman]

But then, it's never fun at sea in a seaway anyway. I totally get the argument for ocean crossings, but even the boats that cross oceans don't do it often.

I was looking at boats recently and was tempted by a centre cockpit. Great accommodation, nice at sea, terrible on deck in the sun. Then I looked at a BenJenBav something and the deck looked amazing for a bbq and some snorkelling in an anchorage but the accomodation wasn't great and the twin wheels at the stern looked terrifying at sea. No idea which way to go, all the sensible ocean boats look terrible to live on or even enjoy life on. Ultimately I think I'll probably go with a modern fin keeler with spacious cockpit to tick the living life box.

As you say, try all the boats and make a choice.

Fair enough
My first boat , 40 feet of soggy pine with aspirations to being designed by w Fife, was amazing at sea . But it was narrow
And pretty awful in port

My last boat was designed to live on and cross oceans and it was oh-so-comfortable and gracious down below and a lot more capable than I at sea ? and a powerful upwind sailer too but I would have built the galley diferently and put the cooker athwartships and closer to the axis of rotation ) .

Nowt perfect afloat , particularly when it’s family joint purchase .
But I do wonder , do we all get to own a committee’s camel in order to pursue domestic harmony a bit ??

 

[Bobc]

I think the reality is that they are building boats that people with half a million quid spare want to buy.

They want all the creature comforts, and they are probably just going to get lightly cruised in local waters during the summer months, or they are going to get chartered for other people to do exactly the same.

 

[lustyd]

People are allowed to enjoy their boats though, and if light cruising in sunshine is what people want then surely that's fine. If we were to believe this forum there's a massive market for tiny dark boats with no creature comforts that cross oceans well and have a wardrobe full of hair shirts. I find it astounding that none of the manufacturers are taking advantage of that market.

 

[geem]

It's not just the boat going downhill fast that's the problem.

Think about the impact on the owners as their moral fibre rots as a result of all that comfort and luxury! ?

That's subjective. Having spent an evening onboard for drinks in the cockpit a couple days ago the word luxury and comfort don't spring to mind. The boat sails around its anchor alarmingly. The cockpit alternates from a howling gales from starboard then port. No shelter at anchor is seriously not comfortable or luxurious. It's not unique to this boat. All modern wide arsed, mast forward boats share this poor design attribute

 

[Supertramp]

ah but how about for one ocean once? How often do you realistically plan to cross oceans? I think this is why designs have evolved, people are more realistic about what they want. It's very British to sit in a mini with a sofa on the roofrack laughing at those idiots in the massive 4x4s ?

I don't, although some of the weather and seas encountered around the British coast make me think it might be easier with nothing to hit. I would happily sail any boat at least once but the real question is whether you feel OK when the unexpected has happened, which is about building confidence in your boat (and your ability to sail it). Picture is from a family cruise with an unexpected 30knts. They were unfazed, I was learning!



For the record, I have a pilothouse which is a joy at anchor and perhaps a concern offshore (and a 4x4 to lug all the repair and maintenance gear around).

 

[Wansworth]

I don't, although some of the weather and seas encountered around the British coast make me think it might be easier with nothing to hit. I would happily sail any boat at least once but the real question is whether you feel OK when the unexpected has happened, which is about building confidence in your boat (and your ability to sail it). Picture is from a family cruise with an unexpected 30knts. They were unfazed, I was learning!

View attachment 150095

For the record, I have a pilothouse which is a joy at anchor and perhaps a concern offshore (and a 4x4 to lug all the repair and maintenance gear around).

Looks a properboat,nice deep scupper?

 

[LittleSister]

For the record, I have a pilothouse which is a joy at anchor and perhaps a concern offshore

Oh, no! And an offset companionway, too! What will you do when you're out in the ultimate storm?

Nice looking boat. What is it? I like having bulwarks around the deck (as on my previous boat), and touches like the handhold you're, er holding.

I see you have a conservatory on the wheelhouse roof, too! ?

How are the lines just below your arm turned towards the mast ahead of the pilothouse? Do you have any pictures of that? To do the same I think I'm looking for turning blocks that are mounted diagonally on the corner between the cabin sides and top, but haven't come across such a thing.

 

[Concerto]

At least the new Dufour has got it right with three toilets for six people ?

But only if you do not choose layout 1 to have a utility room, then it is only 2. The web site still shows it as 3, which is incorrect.