Dufour Yachts
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 Dufour history goes back
40 years ago when Michele Dufour launches
the first Sylphe in 1964. Four
years later -in 1968- he creates the
legendary Aprege, an
unprecedented success that revolutionised
the design of cruising sailing yachts.
A number of successful models follow.
The early '80s and the chartering boom find
Dufour with a number of high quality boats
in production -like the Dufour 2800
and the Dufour 4800. The Dufour
boats were too good (=too expensive) to
compete the antagonism of Jeanneau and
Beneteau models, so the company ceases
operation for almost a decade.
Dufour Yachts Group makes an impressive come
back in the '90s. In 1994 they found
Nautitech, a company specialised in
Catamarans. In 1995 Dufour re-launches the
concept of the fully equipped, ready-
to-sail yacht with the Classic
range. It seems that the lesson was
learned because these new Dufour yachts,
except the quality, they were also offered
at competitive prices.
In 2001 they
partnership with the celebrated Italian boat
builder Cantieri
Del Pardo and next year
Nautitech becomes an independed company.
For the next three years fresh wind blows with Dufour.
Two new
lines of production start; the Performance
consisting of Dufour 34, 40 and 44 as well
as the comfort-oriented Grand Large
series, were replaced. This clear adjustment
does not only use customer, it relieved also
technical designers the work, because
compromises become redundant. As for
chartering, by merging with Gib Sea company
they offer the Dufour/Gib Sea series.
Although, only the Dufour/Gib Sea
series yachts are designed with the charter
market needs in mind -similar to the
Cyclades series of Beneteau- all
the Dufour boats have a successful career in
chartering, as these yachts are good and
there are always people who appreciate
performances or luxury -even if this will
cost them a little extra. |
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