Top 5 Best Yachts Dufour Under 250.000 Euro in 2024

Michel Dufour, an engineer and yachtsman, founded his shipyard in La Rochelle in France back in 1964, becoming one of the pioneers of fiberglass shipbuilding.

Dufour builds sailing cruising catamarans and cruising yachts with a Mediterranean cockpit. The company claims to have full control over the yacht's construction process, from hull construction to equipment installation. At the same time, phased quality control is carried out. Many manufacturing tasks at Dufour Yachts are still done manually.

Another reason for pride is the fact that, despite the all-encompassing globalization, Dufour continues to be an independent manufacturer, and at the same time one of the largest in Europe.

If you want everyone to immediately understand that you are sailing on your own yacht and not on a rented boat, Dufour Yachts is the right choice. They are expensive for charter companies, but affordable for middle-class sail lovers.

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We present the top 5 popular models of the company's yachts in the price segment of up to 250 thousand euros.

Dufour 32

This is a sporty, innovative 32 ft (9.75 m) sailboat that makes it easy to handle both crewed and solo. The models are only one year old, but enough time has passed to analyze the manufacturer's decisions and draw the line.

Like its predecessor, the 310, the Dufour 32 is sleek and fast, offering excellent cruising performance. A significant change is that the helms have disappeared. They are now replaced with a foldable tiller, allowing you to take advantage of that space, while still giving you unparalleled control and maneuverability at all times.

In general, one of the main advantages of this model is precisely how the manufacturer was able to free up and provide so much useful free space on such a small monohull boat. It’s obvious that the developers devoted a lot of time to this, achieving the goal through right design, layout, arrangement of furniture, lighting and hatches.

For the first time on a 32ft sailboat, you can now enjoy a sunbathing area at the stern, protected by a fabric canopy that can be set up in seconds. The inflatable and removable aft cockpit platform folds down to complete this large comfortable space.

All spaces have been completely redesigned to create a living area rarely found on a yacht of this size, and above all, together with a lot of technological solutions that will allow you to enjoy driving to the fullest.

This sailing yacht is designed to be steered by one person, the yacht has a single rudder, and thanks to its light weight, rig area and easy handling, Dufour 32 is one of the fastest and most comfortable yachts out there. According to the company, they further lightened it by 400 kg, which further increased its driving characteristics. Winches are located not only on the roof of the wheelhouse, but also in the cockpit, for comfortable control of the staysail. The cockpit itself has spacious lockers for storing tools, fenders, a gas cylinder, hoses and various rigging.

Management is not that intuitive, but not the most difficult either. If you want to further simplify it, you can install a genoa, an automatic staysail or a gennaker. There are many opportunities for modification, so why not take advantage of it? The engine is standard Volvo, and electronics are provided by Raymarine. In the cabin itself, the chart table was removed and finally the electric pseudo touch panels were replaced with classic buttons, which was positively received by users.

The Dufour 32 is very spacious inside and has large deck windows that guarantee pleasant vibes at any time of the day. At the same time, it has all the necessities and 2 cabins with four berths. The cabins are equipped with a large number of lockers, shelves and comfortable panels, besides, in the saloon the table is lowered between the sofas and an extra bed is simply huge.

Also, in the saloon there is a campus with a sink, a gas stove, an oven, and a convenient top-loading refrigerator installed. But the bathroom is frankly cramped, and if the height is not satisfactory, then you don’t have much space for your hands while taking a shower.

In our opinion, the model is great for solo sailing or traveling for couples. The ease of handling and the relative lack of hassle are big factors in the Dufour 32's favor. You won't throw a party on such a baby, but it's perfect for a full weekend or short trips for two.

Dufour 360

Dufour 360 is a 10.73 m (35.3 ft) Mediterranean cockpit cruising yacht with 2 passenger cabins and a draft of 1.90 m. The yacht has a fiberglass hull and is CE(A) certified, meaning that it’s designed for sailing on the high seas.

This model strikes the perfect balance between reliability and performance, and its hull is perfect for long cruises and thrill-seekers.

A large sail area allows you to reach maximum speeds, a two-level deck guarantees perfect visibility, and an open cockpit provides high-class comfort during a long journey.

This model has been designed to provide maximum freedom and convenience, while providing stylish design and maximum functionality. The interior embodies the brand's charm down to the smallest detail, a perfect balance between traditional know-how and innovation, bold elegant lines and high-quality materials.

The hull and superstructure underwent a number of changes. The cockpit was enlarged due to the new layout of the steering posts with pedestals. The helms are made of plastic, which is lighter than conventional stainless steel, allowing the autopilot to work more accurately and with less stress. The taller mast is installed without a backstay. Due to the high sides and transom, the bathing platform has also been expanded. In general, the deck is easy to move around, the climb to the saloon roof is convenient, and the mast boom is located at a comfortable height.

The cockpit has a locker for a gas bottle, a sink and a grill with electric ignition for outdoor cooking, so as not to fill the saloon with smoke while cooking meat, fish and the like. It turns out that the boat can please the owner with two campuses, which is actually very convenient, while the aft platform serves as a floor during culinary chores.

Such nuances show that the constrained in size Dufour 360 is trying to please the owners with the features of large yachts. For example, in the stern there is a large bathing platform, a bimini and a table. The stern is also distinguished by two capacious lockers, one for the raft, and the second for the deflated dinghy.

As a result, the enlarged lounge sofas and a comfortable cockpit for socializing allow you to receive guests and have a pleasant evening.

The hull received new glazing, including panoramic roof glazing, which is rare for such length. Inside, due to the reconfiguration of the galley, two sofas fit on the sides. The interior of the bathroom has been updated, USB connectors and LED lighting have been added. As in older models, an additional panoramic porthole appeared in the bow cabin.

Dufour 390

When the demands of the yacht market became more focused on comfort, ease of handling and cruising, Dufour followed suit and released several models to meet the desires of this segment.

The 390 is the company's first development since its merger with catamaran manufacturer Fountaine Pajot. The bottom line in 2019 is that we got decent performance and comfortable conditions, which at 39 feet (11,9 m) long with bowsprit is amazing. And if earlier many single-hull sailing yachts paid with convenience for speed and maneuverability, now something in between has appeared. Considering that such changes, despite their low price, have found a wide response among buyers and continue to be in demand and popular, we will also consider the remaining models from this position.

I must say that the Dufour 390 yacht is indeed superior in size, interior space and comfort level to smaller models like Dufour 360. But of course, this boat is somewhat inferior to larger brothers such as Dufour 430, Dufour 460, which we will consider below, not to mention flagship versions like the 530. However, this version has a number of advantages, the first of which is variability. The model 390 has as many as 5 layout options, from a three-cabin charter version with three bathrooms to an owner-sized two-cabin version with a huge bathroom and a large utility locker.

From the closest competitors such as Hanse, Bavaria and others, the sailing yacht Dufour 390 traditionally differs in sophisticated French style and still good seaworthiness. Most of those who had a chance to get on a test drive a few years ago immediately paid attention to the acceleration and maneuverability of this yacht, and since then many have been convinced. Because in the pursuit of comfort, this line of boats is less focused on the charter market and relies more on private owners.

The appearance of the Dufour 390 is fully consistent with the design concept and has an extended stern. At the pier, we see that, like many modern models, everything here is moored without semi-clutches, which, at first glance, may not be so practical in terms of reliability, and yet we have not heard any rumors about torn mooring cleats lately.

The standard Dufour 390 model has classic sailing rigging, and the jib is equipped with an automatic jib, which is now considered default and this device greatly facilitates steering and navigation. The helmsman is freed from fuss with winches and sheets - this allows you to use the boat alone after you have gained some experience.

The anchor box is built into the bow, inside the sloping bottom, which means that the chain will not be piled up and it will not need to be knocked down. Two scupper holes are also visible for draining water and washing the chain so that it does not get greasy. The anchor control panel is located right there and we are told that you can optionally add a circuit meter with wiring for control from the cockpit or even wireless control.

Let's move from the bow to the deck and further - the passage is quite wide and free, by the way, this model has LED lights installed along the bulwark, it probably looks beautiful in the evening.

At the stern, we find a wide bathing platform, from which a stainless-steel ladder and comfortable handles are unfolded and lowered to hold on to when a person climbs out of the water. At arm's length there is a shower hose with a nozzle to rinse with fresh water after bathing. There is also a socket to which the shore water supply system is connected so the owner does not need to activate the pump when the boat is in the marina.

And here we are in the cockpit, where there is a kitchen on the transom, with a sink and grill where you can cook fish, shrimp, leaving smells on the street. The steering wheel is made of stainless steel, but with the ability to replace them with carbon or plastic. Near the helmsman, at the control station, there is a throttle stick, which is convenient if you have to moor astern, for example, and you need to quickly accelerate or slow down.

Due to the high variability of the Dufour 390, an inspection of the interior was not fully relevant and it may be best to contact the manufacturers to explore all the available options. They do not differ much in quality from upcoming models of this top 5 – models that we will carefully examine next.

Dufour 412

In 2016, building on the success of the Dufour Grand Large 410, which has become one of the top sellers in its category, the French shipyard introduced the new 412 model. Like the previous boats we mentioned, this is a cruising yacht with a Mediterranean cockpit.

At first glance it has not changed much compared to its predecessor, but the differences are still visible. The boat added more than a foot (35 cm) in length, and the designers effectively used all the space.

The Grand Large 412 is able to sail freely and has a decent fuel capacity of 200 liters, which is enough to overcome calm weather, enter the marina and change the scenery without hoisting the sail.

The layout of the controls on the boat is well thought out. On both sides there are two main winches, two more are available to the left and right of the entrance to the saloon, rigging wiring is hidden. It is also worth noting the wide boom sheet, which allows finer tuning of the rigging and ensures good maneuverability and propulsion. Tests show that it is capable of sailing up to 35 degrees into the wind.

The shipyard offers three options for the layout of the boat:

• a comfortable two-cabin option for a couple, a small family or a long voyage. This layout has a large warehouse that can be filled with food or accessories and two really spacious bathrooms with showers.
• a three-cabin version with an enlarged large cabin and a huge bed in the bow, but at the same time with one bathroom, which is suitable for charters, sleepovers and larger groups of friends.
• the third version has three medium-sized bedrooms and two bathrooms, most often used for sailing along the coast and short voyages.

The yacht received a more comfortable wide cockpit with a table with two ice boxes and cup holders, there is also a socket for a street lamp. On the deck there is an interesting mechanism that allows you to expand the seats and turn ordinary banks into a bed where you can sunbathe or relax.

The already familiar small galley with a grill and a sink, a spacious locker and a cabinet for storing a gas cylinder is mounted in the stern, and the control stations are equipped with comfortable seats and folding footrests. When the boat rolls, the helmsman can rest against it, and during docking it should be folded so that it does not interfere when moving around.

For some reason, the instruments near the control place are located behind the helm and this, in our opinion, does not add much comfort, and we also see the anchor chain counter brought to the post, which can be considered a good solution.

The skylights on the deck side are installed on the same level as the hull and create a leveled surface so no one trips over it. The glass is thick and will easily support the weight of even a large man or several people who will place their sunbeds and the like there.

Let's move on to the wardroom, which is quite spacious and has high ceilings, which is expected from a forty-foot Dufour boat. The decision of the chart table here is quite curious, because in modern yachting the skipper uses cards less and less, and during the charter voyage the table simply serves as a warehouse for phones, keys, chargers and caps. Therefore, the company made a descending tabletop that transforms into a chair.

In the aft part of the interior, by removing the panel, we get really quick access to fittings, hoses and other infrastructure for water intake and discharge. You won’t have to climb there every day, but such a convenient process pleases. The walls of the engine compartment are made with good sound insulation, and to get into the hold, the payola needs to be removed using both hands.

It can be seen that the interior is well thought out in terms of storage space and access to all devices. For example, in one of the cabins there is access to the ventilation compartment and its batteries, while it is isolated from the engine compartment and therefore neither noise nor smells will enter the room.

Natural lighting inside is well thought out, thanks to the large number and arrangement of windows and portholes, also the designers did not stint on a lot of lamps that add coziness to rooms. In general, having been on the boat, it becomes clear why the Dufour 412 is so popular and is one of the flagships of Dufour Yachts.

Dufour 430

The popular family cruiser model 430 deservedly occupies the first place - our website contains a large detailed review with tests, criticism and comments about this vessel.

Here we will try to briefly describe why the Dufour 430 Grand Large receives so many rave reviews from owners and renters. It seems that this is happening primarily because there is a noticeable qualitative shift from high-speed and extreme yachting, according to many modern estimates, towards ease of management and maintenance of the vessel, as well as comfortable rest and sybaritism.

Let's start with the bow and bowsprit, which reaches 43 feet in length and which now has a dual function as an anchor guide and as a mounting point for an asymmetric spinnaker. There is an option to install an automatic staysail and a mechanism for furling the mainsail into the mast, and that means that the most chores are taken care of and you can cope with it alone.

Full Review Dufour 430 »

Every skipper with sailing experience under his belt, especially with inexperienced crew, has had situations where he has to do it alone. And these situations arise not only when the seasick team is bent over the lee side or lies bedridden in the cabins. Besides, how many unnecessary explanations and words need to be spent in order to achieve the correct execution of commands by an unskilled crew. In addition, you have to give detailed instructions, you need to check and double-check everything, and often still correct it.

The possibilities and equipment features provided by the Dufour shipyard allow you to avoid all this and have only one experienced skipper for a massive forty feet (12.2 m) boat. It can be a father of a family or a host who invited a company of guests who are far from sailing and who just want to have a good time without worrying about management.

And to ensure this good time, the Dufour 430 fits perfectly in its price category. The wide and spacious cockpit will accommodate a large family or a few friends and have a barbecue on the aft campus with a grill and sink. At the same time, the cook has the opportunity to stand on the bathing platform, from which you can also fish or just sit and sunbathe.

Places for sunbathing are also easily arranged in the bow, it is enough to lay a yoga mat or mattress there. The cockpit is closed by a large bimini canopy with viewing windows during bad weather or to avoid sunburn, so that the helmsman can watch the mainsail in comfort.

Going down into the saloon of a more comfortable three-cabin version, you are surprised at how spacious it is. This of course is largely due to the play of lighting through windows and portholes - the designers succeeded well in this trick. It is also striking that the chart table was removed and in this version the campus with a two-section refrigerator, a sink with sea and fresh water supply, an oven and a stove were moved to the corner of the wardroom. The French have a special relationship with food, so there are two campuses and 8 (!) storage places for wine and drinks on the boat.

In the center of the cabin there is a dining table - the tabletop can be lowered and a roomy bed will appear in its place, also there are lockers under the seat cushions. In general, lockers, closets in cabins and other containers for storing things on a ship are plentiful, but many of them are shallow and will not fit large things like large ball fenders - this is a problem with all monohull ships. The vessel also has two bathrooms with spacious showers for such a vessel and good lighting inside.

Summing up, it can be seen that the developers were able to squeeze the maximum out of both the internal design and the performance characteristics of the vessel. The hull design has completely changed from bow to stern. The balance, in this case, is the combination of aesthetics with a reasonable amount of space on board the yacht, plus the integration of new features and the evolution of standard equipment.

At the same time, the Dufour 430 is still rather a cruising yacht with a magnificent interior, simple and easy controls, a wide stern and an integrated bulwark - all this makes the vessel more spacious and functional, which has become the reason for the demand for this particular model in its price segment.

We hope you enjoyed our top 5 picks. It’s based on our opinion and experience, and yet the final choice is always up to you.