2025 Dufour 44 Sailboat Review: Performance & Comfort
Oodles of space but still sailing hard this new Dufour claims the sweet spot for cruising couples looking for a good turn of speed.
December 20, 2024
French sailboat builder, Dufour Yachts, has wasted no time in rolling out another new model after introducing their Dufour 41 just last year. The newest Umberto Felci collaboration adds three feet of length to tuck in between the 41 and the 47 models and claims the sweet spot for cruising couples looking for a good turn of speed.
Above: A 2025 Dufour 44 Sailboat underway. Photo via Annapolis Yacht Sales.
Design and Rigging
At first glance, the Dufour 44 looks a bit like a battleship. She’s beamy and muscular with significant beam carried well forward looking nearly like a powerboat at the bow. This creates interior volume and wide side decks that are easy to traverse in a hurry. Despite the flare however, the new model is narrow below the waterline to help her slice through waves and point higher. When the wind picks up, she leans on her hard chine which provides form stability and stays on her feet.
Below the waterline, there’s a choice of keel depth of 7’2” or 5’9”. Like other Dufour yachts, this one uses a single deep rudder rather than two appendages. This makes her easier to maneuver in tight spaces at low speeds since the propwash goes directly over the rudder. Felci feels that she’s plenty capable of handling a blow without the space and complexity of twin rudders.
The profile shows elongated hull windows with black sections on both sides. That’s a bit of a trompe l’oeil. Although there are indeed non-opening hull windows to brighten the interior, some of those dark bits on the outside are just for show and don’t represent the actual size of the ports.
The standard sail plan includes a deck-stepped Z-spar mast with a 108% overlapping genoa. A self-tacking jib with a Code 0 on a furler is also available and would be my choice, especially for easy short-handed sailing but club racers will want the power of the larger genoa.
On Deck
Above: The cockpit, helm and aft deck of a 2025 Dufour 44 Sailboat. Photo via Annapolis Yacht Sales.
A split soft Bimini is an option, but Dufour says a hardtop over the cockpit will be available soon. This brand does an excellent job of building boats which are very livable at anchor and this comes shining through at the transom. Dufour has incorporated their signature outdoor galley but tweaked it just a bit. The transom seat between the wheels lifts to reveal a grill and sink. Just swing the helm seats up and outboard, walk down three easy steps on either side and voila, you’re standing on the transom cooking up dinner at the center outdoor galley hidden under the seat. This is a crowd favorite whether in charter or in private ownership and also provides practical placement of the life raft cubby below the grilling station.
The rest of the cockpit is slightly A-shaped as it widens toward the transom. The benches which are separated by a large drop-leaf table (wood for private ownership and GRP for charter use) are long and wide to seat guests for dinner or to make into comfortable lounges. The wheels are well outboard and attach to stylish, yachty binnacles with good handholds integrated inboard. B&G electronics include an MFD to starboard and instruments to port.
In the aft corners are cushioned outboard seats at each helm. Unfortunately, the engine throttle is down at knee level on starboard and the winches and clutches are quite far from the wheels so shorthanded sailing is tricky.
The foredeck is broad and easy to maneuver and has plenty of space to toss down a towel and catch some rays while reading a book. The integrated composite sprit brings the anchor away from the stem and provides an attach point for a downwind sail on a furler. It would be nice to see more space between the windlass and the furler as well as an opening anchor locker here.
Accommodations
Above: The master stateroom on a 2025 Dufour 44 Sailboat. Photo via Annapolis Yacht Sales.
The Dufour 44 is available in four layouts where the middle and forward sections change but the aft end always offers two cabins and a split head with a large shower on the port side. Because Dufour figures prominently in charter, the bulkheads are already set up to incorporate either two cabins with two ensuite wet heads forward, or a posh owner’s suite with the head on one side and the shower on the other. This all makes sense given Dufour’s split demographic.
The problem for me is the middle section that switches out the galley configuration. One layout offers a split galley forward of the salon with a stove to starboard and sink to port. I’m not a fan of these forward kitchens because the transit from stove to companionway with a bowl of hot soup is a long and potentially dangerous one when under way. Second, there is no bracing oneself when cooking or washing dishes when heeling. Third, there’s very little stowage and countertop space in this divided version.
The second layout stretches the galley along the starboard side. This straight configuration creates lots of counter space and an easily accessed fridge. However, there’s still no brace point if you’re on a starboard tack and this elongated galley does away with the starboard settee entirely.
Depending on the galley, the port side shifts the settee and hexagonal dining table forward or aft just a smidge, adding small side tables and a bit of storage in the process. Three rectangular fabric stools are used at the table for dining or can shift over to the double settee (when there is one) to make a comfortable lounge where to watch TV or take a nap.
The master suite forward will be the owner’s delight. The bed has a padded headboard for sound attenuation and overhead are two hatches, his and hers if you will, so a couple can adjust their airflow individually. The shower in this single cabin version is decadently sized.
Overall, the layout includes 3-4 cabins and 2-3 heads. The aft section always includes two cabins even if you use one for stowage. The boat is spacious below so it’s a bit of a head-scratcher as to why the layouts aren’t more inventive. Also, handholds are few and far between which is fine at anchor but not so much under way.
Plenty of overhead fixed and opening hatches make the boat light and welcoming. Optional creature comforts abound with air conditioning, a generator and a water maker available and Dufour’s signature wine rack is still below the salon sole.
Above: The salon on the 2025 Dufour 44 Sailboat. Photo via Annapolis Yacht Sales.
Performance
The Dufour 44 has a well-balanced sail plan of 1,076 square feet splitting between the main (570 sq ft) genoa (495 sq ft). The helm is responsive with the deep rudder digging in and answering every command.
With 10-12 knots of true wind, we sailed 7-7.5 knots of boat speed at 50 degrees AWA and then snuck all the way up to 40 degrees AWA and still held onto 6.3 knots. On a beam reach in 12 knots of wind, we made good 8.2 knots of speed on flat water and when we cracked off to 120 degrees AWA, we sailed 4.5 knots as the breeze eased off to 8 knots. The larger genoa demands earlier reefing even if the main stays fully hoisted.
The Performance pack adds a longer boom, jib tracks for the genoa and a sail upgrade. With one person steering, two more were trimming on our boat and I noticed it was a handful when tacking. As mentioned above, the winches are separated from the wheels and it kept our crew hopping.
Dufour is switching their auxiliary power from 50-hp Volvo Penta to 60-hp Yanmar diesels. You can expect to motor 7.0-7.5 knots at 2400 rpm or 8.5 knots at wide open throttle and 2900 rpm. Presumably, this model can also be fitted with hybrid/electric propulsion with a genset as a range extender. A feathering prop is an option.
Meaningful Testing Available
According to company representatives, seven boats sold at the Annapolis boat show alone so there’s clearly plenty of interest. Dufour’s market splits 50/50 between private ownership and charter and since Dufour is now partnering with The Moorings/Sunsail, their build volume will increase overall. It also means you will be able to test a Dufour 44 on a weeklong charter vacation starting in 2025 which is the best sea trial and a sure way to decide if this one’s for you.
Pros
- Responsive helm
- Loads of interior space for a large master
- Large and luxurious cockpit
- Surprisingly nimble
Cons
- Neither galley layout is ideal
- Winches are far from the helms
- No option for only one aft cabin with a workshop
- Muscly profile like a powerboat
Specifications:
LOA 45’ 1”
LWL 40’ 2”
Beam 14’ 7”
Draft 7’ 2” deep, 5’ 9” shoal
Displacement 22,487 lbs
Sail area 1,076 sq ft
Engine 50-60hp diesel
Fuel/Water 66 gallons + 48 gallons
Base price $400,000 or $550,000 as tested
