Dufour 40
Production boat · Umberto Felci · Dufour Yachts · since 2003
- Boats
- 6
- Results
- 21
- Wins
- 9
- Races
- 7
- Length
- 12.32m
- Beam
- 3.9m
- Draft
- 1.65m
- Weight
- 7.5t
- Sail area
- 83.8m²
Why sailors choose the Dufour 40
The Felci-designed Dufour 40 was pitched at owners who want a fast cruiser that can win club regattas under IRC. Testers found it quick, light on the helm and robust in very strong wind, with a bright, liveable interior. Some deck details, such as high teak toerails and the trimmer's position, are not ideal for racing crews.
- Fast cruiser intended to race under IRC
- Performance version with deep lead keel and race sails
- Light, balanced helm and easy handling
- Coped well in very strong wind
- Comfortable, light interior
- Some deck details less suited to racing
Our note
Specifications
Production boat
- Designer
- Umberto Felci
- Builder
- Dufour Yachts
- First built
- 2003
- Length
- 12.32m
- Waterline
- 10.74m
- Beam
- 3.9m
- Draft
- 1.65m
- Displacement
- 7,500kg
- Ballast
- 2,700kg
- Sail area upwind
- 83.8m²
- Keel
- fin
2003 Dufour 40 (not the later 40e); converted from feet/lb, sail area computed from rig
Published figures for the design; individual boats are often modified. Sources: goodoldboat.com
What sailors and testers say · in our words, from the linked pages
He found it near race-ready, light to steer and quick, topping ten knots running in winds over 35 knots without breaking anything.
Boating NZ review by David Lockwood · Boating NZ, 2006
Against its rivals
The Dufour 40 against four designs like it, from published figures. Swap any of the four. Each spoke is scaled to the largest of the five; a figure that isn't published sits at the centre (— in the table).
| Design | Length | Beam | Draft | Weight | Sail area | Power (SA/D) | Boats racing | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dufour 40 | 12.3 m | 3.90 m | 1.65 m | 7.5 t | 84 m² | 22.2 | 6 | 9 |
| Dufour 385 | 11.7 m | 3.90 m | 1.80 m | 7.0 t | 58 m² | 16.1 | 2 | 1 |
| Dufour 34 | 10.6 m | 3.41 m | 1.50 m | 5.7 t | — | — | 7 | 9 |
| X-41 | 12.3 m | 3.64 m | 2.50 m | 6.8 t | 98 m² | 27.8 | 9 | 13 |
| X-41 OD | 12.3 m | 3.64 m | 2.50 m | 6.8 t | 98 m² | 27.8 | 2 | 2 |
| Boat | Sail no. | Skipper or owner | Years | Results | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lady | URU276 | Nicolás González | 2021–2024 | 9 | 5 |
| CARAPAU | POR 8501 | Bernardo Dias Pinheiro | 2021–2024 | 6 | 1 |
| Newkote | ESP9317C | Oscar Chulvi Sancho | 2021–2023 | 2 | 1 |
| Fala Pouco | — | José Ballester | 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| Flying Dolphin | — | Willem Ellemeet | 2026 | 1 | 1 |
| Boat Málaga | — | Dani Cuevas | 2024 | 2 | — |
| Race | Results of this design | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cascais Vela | 6 | 1 | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| Loro Piana Giraglia | 3 | 1 | 2022, 2024, 2026 |
| Sandberg PalmaVela | 3 | 3 | 2021, 2022, 2024 |
| Trofeo de Vela Conde de Godó | 3 | 2 | 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| Trofeo S.M. La Reina | 3 | 1 | 2021, 2023 |
| Regata Intercontinental Marbella–Ceuta | 2 | — | 2024 |
| Copa del Rey MAPFRE | 1 | 1 | 2024 |