Great walk -thru, per usual! I think Dufour are knocking it out of the park. Love the chart loveseat instead of the chart table. It's 2024. If you need maps in an emergency then you can just use the dinette. Prefer that little seating area for sipping scotch, personally. The divorced head is also brilliant to keep crew moving through their daily routines. Much prefer this arrangement over twin wet heads, and the shower ends up being the wet locker for oilies, anyway. Rest of the cabins are so nicely laid out. Can't wait to see some reviews of this boat under sail. I'd really prefer a single helm station like the old days; it'd be nice if more boats offered this as an option for those of us who aren't pretending to be piloting a super-maxi in the odd regatta.
Glad you like it and yes I like the whiskey chair to, what a great expression (the divorce head) I think I am going to use that in the future if you don’t mind. Your dead right about the spare shower that has wet gear locker all over it.
I am glad you liked it, I spent more time on mid-size boats this year as we will have access to larger ones at Cannes and throughout the year. I feel at the moment that yachts in the 35 to 45ft range are more realistic for us working mortals.
@@SVTONICBoatWives Thank you for answer and communication. Your reviews of the mid-size RM 1180 and 1380 made me fall in love with these unique boats. I look forward to your new reviews from Dusseldorf 2024, event in the yachting world.
Hi! An interesting boat with some points to consider. My biggest concern is so much structural wood without protection. I don't know in Europe, but here in Brazil 450K € is a LOT of money to have exposed wood on the front and aft bulkheads and on the floor of the aft locker on a 44 ft boat. These are certainly treated but as we know, water is water and it usually wins. I believe depending on the use maintenance costs will show. And what about 4 showers? Almost one for every 11 foot :) It must have a watermaker! The master cabin in a pleasure! Storage space is very nice. Those who complain about storage must be saturday sailers. I think the saloon could have allowed a bit more working area to the kitchen. The table design is interesting and gave a sensation of space to it. A nav/work station in place of the aft port shower would be my choice and add to the space sensation too. The deck, cockpit, are well distributed. Guess this owner has very specific needs. Thanks once more for the "real life" tour! See you on the next!
Ha, I'm so jealous you run into Matt Sheahan! He's a cult figure in my household. His reviews, especially of the latest Oyster models, are legendary. He makes Toby Hodges, whom I also love, look like a schoolboy. 😂
I like them both but Toby is my favourite he always makes time to have a good chat about boats and stuff. Yes, the reviews he did for Oyster are well made and if I am honest they are how I would like to present my sea trials. 😁
That is a strange shape for a Table in a sailboat, I wonder who the designer was. Matt Sheahan makes a cameo in a SV TONIC video. Keep up the good work.
Just been taking a much deeper look at the Dufour 44 2024 model, and there are a number of very interesting price drops on a new boat already available, with changes to the delivered model still available. Discounts that even include the Ocean Pack, and electronics pack, plus with where I am heading for, will be a Tax Free Export, from several Agents in the Mediterranean. With an unloaded displacement of 10.2 tons, comfort Offshore should be ok, with excellent Beam, single rudder, and very upright heeling angle. Now if the Shoal Draft doesn’t exceed Dufour’s normal 5ft 5 inches, while that will frequently be a complete pita, with extra special Care , I should be able to live with it.Hi Ho Silver Bullion Away by year end ? ( the shallow Draft Stats do continue to be confirmed unfortunately - if other keel makers could provide a far more suitable Wing Keel, of under 5ft Draft, I’d be one very happy camper, but so far no joy when searching for Custom Keel makers - my internet has been hacked since I went back into hospital again, and that hasn’t helped ). Best wishes to you all. Bob in Wales. 👍🌟🌟🌟🏴🇬🇧❤️
Damn. Just had confirmation of the Shallow Draft depth on the 44, and at 5 ft 8 inches, it is even worse than Dufour’s former standard Shallow Draft of 5 ft 5 inches.It has been totally scrubbed off of the likely future purchase list.☹️ what is it with this addiction to Med aspect deep Draft Sailboats? 🤔Sigh. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍❤️
The interior design of this boat seems like an attempt to solve problems that don’t exist. Third head is absurd. Two cushion settee is useless. Forward galley has multiple problems not the least of which is the mast stack dab in the middle. And who needs that saloon table shape. The standard hi-low folding tables on most boats do the trick fine. Good tour though. I love your tours.
I take it you are not keen on this one, that table was a big talking point at the show. I think it’s a bit like marmite you love it or hate it there is no in between. Glad you like the video.
Why on Earth would anyone want three heads for three cabins? I guess you said you could get a proper nav station and hopefully a sea berth settee instead. Would you please consider giving some of the bluewater indicators on your boat tours? Ballast/Displacment, Comfort Ratio, Capsize Screen Formula and/or Angle of Vanishing Stability? None of the boat reviewers on UA-cam do this and it would really make you stand out.
Just finished I think, clicking like on all your videos to help the Google Algorhythms, plus a couple of observations on this Dufour 44, which I still really like, and I think I'm finally getting somewhere with one of their Agent Brokers, for likely a brilliant deal on one with a 45 foot Air Draft Furling Mast - side note I think you would like a Furling Boom as said on the Hanse 460 review ? Problem - those get increasingly unreliable due to Rai and spray flushing all that Bird Crap into the Boom Mechanism, and I remember all sorts of other issues with them which is why they have ended up pretty much Disappearing off the Market ? Back to the 44 - I really don't like that Table, and suspect it would rapidly become a total pita, and the table in the Dufour 41 will work better, though I do prefer the 44 forward split galleey so should be able to be accommodated. I really like the two seperate sit down Showers, but there is a place for the toilets being Wet Heads, especially for Hygeine in the Tropics ? those Showers work as both Bidets and doubles, so Nice Soap rinse and towel and no Toilet Paper down the Toulets ? Works for me, just need one of those small Washer Dryers easy to fit into the 44. Bob. 🤔🌟🌟🌟👍❤️PS. The Reply from that Agent Broker didn't have them choking on me wanting a 4 ft 6 inch Draft either. Perhaps someone has sent Umberto a Memo to remind him about Wing Keels, or maybe, finally my comments about needing such a shallow Draft have hit a nerve ? Because I am Far from alone in needing one, even outside of the USA and Caribbean . 🤞🏻
I like Dufour as production boats go and the forward galley system is great for med and Caribbean etc type sailing. I am with you on the table for the 44 great for the charter market but that’s it, it’s a bit of a weak point. On the whole if it was my choice I would have a 41 or a 45. Big thank you Bob for all the extra help with the UA-cam machine.
@@SVTONICBoatWives I've been giving a heck of a lot oought to that damned Hexagonal Table, an that combined with the Walk around island bed in the forward Cabin, have totally wrecked the 44 as a Cruising Sailboat in my honest opinion. The Result is a need for s total Redesign below Deck, getting rid of "Arty Farty" that makes no positive Contribution, and build it around a Two Cabin Layout with a Pullman doublevin the Fotward Cabin, so it can be squeezed forward a bit dragging the Forward Galley with it, which makes room for a Traditional Saloon with Two very comfy Settee Berths with a nice big Table that Folds Out between them Lee Cloths then also work for the Pullman forward Berth as well as the Setee Berths for use on passage an. Aft Saloon U shaped Galley would also work as an option for Customers who prefer those. Dufour Really need to give their Designers uch clearer instruction parameters to their designers if they are serious about xhanging their Direction towards Cruising imho. Credit to Magnus Rassy, as he clearly gets it about the range of Options he makes available to Customers, like Island Packet, he will also allow them to Wreck Cruising aspects by a.lowing them to do things like adding CaptainChairs in the Saloon if they Really Want them, and like Island Packet, make them Really Expensive to help deter people from choosing them. Grins, Chuckles, and lolerskates for Teasing you I know you Really Like Captain's Chairs, but like Hexagonal Tables, they really do Wreck a Cruising Saiboat. Now in the Saloon of a Nordhavn Motorboat ? 🤔🌟🌟🌟😀👍❤️ I think I'd better Rin and dive for cover to be honest. Grins.
PS. Umberto Felci has created such an Outstanding Hull, I'm Determined not to let "Trendy Dickhead" interior Designers Ruin it, and if that means me buying a bare bones Commissioned Boat at a massive discount, which I then hand over to SETAG to sort out, if I can get the Money Together to Do it, then I'm going to Bloody Well Do it, because that Hull is one seriously gorgeous work of Art. So There. 😄😄😄🌟❤️
@@SVTONICBoatWives Being a Naturalised Cardi, I have become Very Careful with Money, and as a result find boats of 50 foot and o er to be fully unacceptable due to the increase in Running Costs 😄 The Book of Cardi jokes is Hilarious- remind me to tell you one sometime - So The Dufour 470 seriously impressed me - But Problem can't get a Custom Lead Wing Keel for one that is a Shallow enough Draft, and back of the envelope calls, put the upper limit a tight squeeze at 45 foot LOA if it has the desired very wide Beam due to too much Buoyancy to deal Withvia Keel Ballast. Sigh. So I became a bit Extaric with the appearance of the 2024 Dufour 44. Frankly, if the Jeanneau S O 440 wasn't a Twin Rudders Sailboat, it would be a pretty decent Candidate as well. I have not asked Jeanneau if they can offer a Single Rudder Version Yet tbh, and as the Dufour are Single Rudder anyway, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it - apart from that, there's a lot to like about thec440 layout snd that Port Side Nav/ Work Desk just before the Galley is really nice, as is that nice Chaise Long opposite the Saloin Table. Not being able to Sail at night, up and down the East Coast of the USA to and from the Caribbean, due to Lobster and Crab Pot Fields plus fishing Nets is a right pita with twin rudders though - even ICW Overnight stops with a 5 foot 3 inches of Draft itself is a bit problematic tbh, but could be possible with enough extra care, but can still end up forced to run aground by power boats failing to abide by speed restrictions causing large wakes. I think it was Sailing Zephyr that was lucky in getting pulled off by a Heavy Plant Digger Driver who finally saved the Day for them, and such issues are far too common zsadly. . It's really nice to see Natalie and James getting to grips with Living aboard Zephyr - a Beneteau Oceanis 430 - so well tbh, lots of errors along the way but they started with a totally Clean Slate, so redit where it is due, though they have left the Bahamas a bit late, as Hurricane Seasom started a bit early this year, but right now, they are headed up to the ICW again, and fi gers crossed, they get in there, and far enough North Fairly soon. Lovely pair of Weimerana Dogs Flint and Keira too, and Flint actually Caught a Barracuda on the last Day I think, they were in the Bahamas 😀🌟👍 Awesome. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍🌟🌟🌟❤️
Nice but… Hanse have taken a big leap by having TWO retractable tables on a boat smaller than this and as more and more couples are cruising - cozy space is really important to them!
I think that all the production brands are having to change their game as consumers are expecting more bang for their buck, especially with the constantly increasing boat prices.
Way too much storage but I thought as I have had some complaints about showing too much storage on the videos I would make a proper effort to show it all for everyone who loves storage on boats. 😁
Very good review... Quite nice boat except galley... I don't understand why Dufour uses this stupid galley design? There is no worktop in this size boat, why???
I don’t know about worktop but being the galley is in the most centralized part of the boat they are actually really good to work in, I was surprised the first time we used one on a 470 (we were in the Mediterranean) but it worked well. Time will tell if it will work in the smaller models, we are having a closer look next month so we will keep you posted. Glad you enjoyed the video and keep an eye out for updates.
Just another production boat, flimsily and hurriedly put together in such a manner as to fall apart during it's life just a bit faster than the capacity of the owner to put it back together.
Great walk -thru, per usual! I think Dufour are knocking it out of the park. Love the chart loveseat instead of the chart table. It's 2024. If you need maps in an emergency then you can just use the dinette. Prefer that little seating area for sipping scotch, personally. The divorced head is also brilliant to keep crew moving through their daily routines. Much prefer this arrangement over twin wet heads, and the shower ends up being the wet locker for oilies, anyway. Rest of the cabins are so nicely laid out. Can't wait to see some reviews of this boat under sail. I'd really prefer a single helm station like the old days; it'd be nice if more boats offered this as an option for those of us who aren't pretending to be piloting a super-maxi in the odd regatta.
Glad you like it and yes I like the whiskey chair to, what a great expression (the divorce head) I think I am going to use that in the future if you don’t mind. Your dead right about the spare shower that has wet gear locker all over it.
@@SVTONICBoatWives Don't mind at all!
@@someguy9440 cool thank you
Your long-awaited first review from Dusseldorf 2024 and immediately about the most interesting boat for me! Great shot, thanks!
I am glad you liked it, I spent more time on mid-size boats this year as we will have access to larger ones at Cannes and throughout the year. I feel at the moment that yachts in the 35 to 45ft range are more realistic for us working mortals.
@@SVTONICBoatWives Thank you for answer and communication. Your reviews of the mid-size RM 1180 and 1380 made me fall in love with these unique boats. I look forward to your new reviews from Dusseldorf 2024, event in the yachting world.
We are big fans of RM to;)
@@SVTONICBoatWives Sadly, no video of last 1380, standing lonely in the corner of hall #15 in Dusseldorf😢
Did you have a look around
Another well presented tour and Mr Mat Sheahan making a cameo appearance
Thank you I am glad you liked it, Yes he showed up from time to time and so did Toby H.
Hi! An interesting boat with some points to consider. My biggest concern is so much structural wood without protection. I don't know in Europe, but here in Brazil 450K € is a LOT of money to have exposed wood on the front and aft bulkheads and on the floor of the aft locker on a 44 ft boat. These are certainly treated but as we know, water is water and it usually wins. I believe depending on the use maintenance costs will show.
And what about 4 showers? Almost one for every 11 foot :) It must have a watermaker!
The master cabin in a pleasure! Storage space is very nice. Those who complain about storage must be saturday sailers.
I think the saloon could have allowed a bit more working area to the kitchen. The table design is interesting and gave a sensation of space to it. A nav/work station in place of the aft port shower would be my choice and add to the space sensation too.
The deck, cockpit, are well distributed. Guess this owner has very specific needs.
Thanks once more for the "real life" tour! See you on the next!
Glad you like it and thank you for watching
Boy oh boy do I know about unprotected wood
Nice boat and great presentation
Thanks I am glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching.
she's great! Wish I could afford her one day!
She is a nice boat for 44ft, you never know what will happen so fingers crossed for you in affording one.
Great review
Thank you.
Ha, I'm so jealous you run into Matt Sheahan! He's a cult figure in my household. His reviews, especially of the latest Oyster models, are legendary. He makes Toby Hodges, whom I also love, look like a schoolboy. 😂
I like them both but Toby is my favourite he always makes time to have a good chat about boats and stuff. Yes, the reviews he did for Oyster are well made and if I am honest they are how I would like to present my sea trials. 😁
That is a strange shape for a Table in a sailboat, I wonder who the designer was. Matt Sheahan makes a cameo in a SV TONIC video. Keep up the good work.
It is a strange shape for a table and it was a talking point for everyone, He is famous now he's been on our channel🤣😜 Glad you liked the video.
Love your hat. Boat is so so. 😎
Thanks, I wondered if anyone would notice the hat, the boats are not bad either, glad you liked the video.
Just been taking a much deeper look at the Dufour 44 2024 model, and there are a number of very interesting price drops on a new boat already available, with changes to the delivered model still available. Discounts that even include the Ocean Pack, and electronics pack, plus with where I am heading for, will be a Tax Free Export, from several Agents in the Mediterranean. With an unloaded displacement of 10.2 tons, comfort Offshore should be ok, with excellent Beam, single rudder, and very upright heeling angle. Now if the Shoal Draft doesn’t exceed Dufour’s normal 5ft 5 inches, while that will frequently be a complete pita, with extra special Care , I should be able to live with it.Hi Ho Silver Bullion Away by year end ? ( the shallow Draft Stats do continue to be confirmed unfortunately - if other keel makers could provide a far more suitable Wing Keel, of under 5ft Draft, I’d be one very happy camper, but so far no joy when searching for Custom Keel makers - my internet has been hacked since I went back into hospital again, and that hasn’t helped ). Best wishes to you all. Bob in Wales. 👍🌟🌟🌟🏴🇬🇧❤️
what about price
It's in the video.
Damn. Just had confirmation of the Shallow Draft depth on the 44, and at 5 ft 8 inches, it is even worse than Dufour’s former standard Shallow Draft of 5 ft 5 inches.It has been totally scrubbed off of the likely future purchase list.☹️ what is it with this addiction to Med aspect deep Draft Sailboats? 🤔Sigh. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍❤️
It’s a bad idea to separate the sink and oven imho. The round table also looks ugly. 🙏🏼😊
Everyone knows Matt Sheehan!!!
I hope so by now but we have made him more famous. 😇😁
The interior design of this boat seems like an attempt to solve problems that don’t exist. Third head is absurd. Two cushion settee is useless. Forward galley has multiple problems not the least of which is the mast stack dab in the middle. And who needs that saloon table shape. The standard hi-low folding tables on most boats do the trick fine.
Good tour though. I love your tours.
I take it you are not keen on this one, that table was a big talking point at the show. I think it’s a bit like marmite you love it or hate it there is no in between. Glad you like the video.
Why on Earth would anyone want three heads for three cabins? I guess you said you could get a proper nav station and hopefully a sea berth settee instead.
Would you please consider giving some of the bluewater indicators on your boat tours? Ballast/Displacment, Comfort Ratio, Capsize Screen Formula and/or Angle of Vanishing Stability? None of the boat reviewers on UA-cam do this and it would really make you stand out.
Just finished I think, clicking like on all your videos to help the Google Algorhythms, plus a couple of observations on this Dufour 44, which I still really like, and I think I'm finally getting somewhere with one of their Agent Brokers, for likely a brilliant deal on one with a 45 foot Air Draft Furling Mast - side note I think you would like a Furling Boom as said on the Hanse 460 review ? Problem - those get increasingly unreliable due to Rai and spray flushing all that Bird Crap into the Boom Mechanism, and I remember all sorts of other issues with them which is why they have ended up pretty much Disappearing off the Market ? Back to the 44 - I really don't like that Table, and suspect it would rapidly become a total pita, and the table in the Dufour 41 will work better, though I do prefer the 44 forward split galleey so should be able to be accommodated. I really like the two seperate sit down Showers, but there is a place for the toilets being Wet Heads, especially for Hygeine in the Tropics ? those Showers work as both Bidets and doubles, so Nice Soap rinse and towel and no Toilet Paper down the Toulets ? Works for me, just need one of those small Washer Dryers easy to fit into the 44. Bob. 🤔🌟🌟🌟👍❤️PS. The Reply from that Agent Broker didn't have them choking on me wanting a 4 ft 6 inch Draft either. Perhaps someone has sent Umberto a Memo to remind him about Wing Keels, or maybe, finally my comments about needing such a shallow Draft have hit a nerve ? Because I am Far from alone in needing one, even outside of the USA and Caribbean . 🤞🏻
I like Dufour as production boats go and the forward galley system is great for med and Caribbean etc type sailing. I am with you on the table for the 44 great for the charter market but that’s it, it’s a bit of a weak point. On the whole if it was my choice I would have a 41 or a 45. Big thank you Bob for all the extra help with the UA-cam machine.
@@SVTONICBoatWives I've been giving a heck of a lot oought to that damned Hexagonal Table, an that combined with the Walk around island bed in the forward Cabin, have totally wrecked the 44 as a Cruising Sailboat in my honest opinion. The Result is a need for s total Redesign below Deck, getting rid of "Arty Farty" that makes no positive Contribution, and build it around a Two Cabin Layout with a Pullman doublevin the Fotward Cabin, so it can be squeezed forward a bit dragging the Forward Galley with it, which makes room for a Traditional Saloon with Two very comfy Settee Berths with a nice big Table that Folds Out between them Lee Cloths then also work for the Pullman forward Berth as well as the Setee Berths for use on passage an. Aft Saloon U shaped Galley would also work as an option for Customers who prefer those. Dufour Really need to give their Designers uch clearer instruction parameters to their designers if they are serious about xhanging their Direction towards Cruising imho. Credit to Magnus Rassy, as he clearly gets it about the range of Options he makes available to Customers, like Island Packet, he will also allow them to Wreck Cruising aspects by a.lowing them to do things like adding CaptainChairs in the Saloon if they Really Want them, and like Island Packet, make them Really Expensive to help deter people from choosing them. Grins, Chuckles, and lolerskates for Teasing you I know you Really Like Captain's Chairs, but like Hexagonal Tables, they really do Wreck a Cruising Saiboat. Now in the Saloon of a Nordhavn Motorboat ? 🤔🌟🌟🌟😀👍❤️ I think I'd better Rin and dive for cover to be honest. Grins.
PS. Umberto Felci has created such an Outstanding Hull, I'm Determined not to let "Trendy Dickhead" interior Designers Ruin it, and if that means me buying a bare bones Commissioned Boat at a massive discount, which I then hand over to SETAG to sort out, if I can get the Money Together to Do it, then I'm going to Bloody Well Do it, because that Hull is one seriously gorgeous work of Art. So There. 😄😄😄🌟❤️
@@SVTONICBoatWives Being a Naturalised Cardi, I have become Very Careful with Money, and as a result find boats of 50 foot and o er to be fully unacceptable due to the increase in Running Costs 😄 The Book of Cardi jokes is Hilarious- remind me to tell you one sometime - So The Dufour 470 seriously impressed me - But Problem can't get a Custom Lead Wing Keel for one that is a Shallow enough Draft, and back of the envelope calls, put the upper limit a tight squeeze at 45 foot LOA if it has the desired very wide Beam due to too much Buoyancy to deal Withvia Keel Ballast. Sigh. So I became a bit Extaric with the appearance of the 2024 Dufour 44. Frankly, if the Jeanneau S O 440 wasn't a Twin Rudders Sailboat, it would be a pretty decent Candidate as well. I have not asked Jeanneau if they can offer a Single Rudder Version Yet tbh, and as the Dufour are Single Rudder anyway, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it - apart from that, there's a lot to like about thec440 layout snd that Port Side Nav/ Work Desk just before the Galley is really nice, as is that nice Chaise Long opposite the Saloin Table. Not being able to Sail at night, up and down the East Coast of the USA to and from the Caribbean, due to Lobster and Crab Pot Fields plus fishing Nets is a right pita with twin rudders though - even ICW Overnight stops with a 5 foot 3 inches of Draft itself is a bit problematic tbh, but could be possible with enough extra care, but can still end up forced to run aground by power boats failing to abide by speed restrictions causing large wakes. I think it was Sailing Zephyr that was lucky in getting pulled off by a Heavy Plant Digger Driver who finally saved the Day for them, and such issues are far too common zsadly. . It's really nice to see Natalie and James getting to grips with Living aboard Zephyr - a Beneteau Oceanis 430 - so well tbh, lots of errors along the way but they started with a totally Clean Slate, so redit where it is due, though they have left the Bahamas a bit late, as Hurricane Seasom started a bit early this year, but right now, they are headed up to the ICW again, and fi gers crossed, they get in there, and far enough North Fairly soon. Lovely pair of Weimerana Dogs Flint and Keira too, and Flint actually Caught a Barracuda on the last Day I think, they were in the Bahamas 😀🌟👍 Awesome. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍🌟🌟🌟❤️
Nice but… Hanse have taken a big leap by having TWO retractable tables on a boat smaller than this and as more and more couples are cruising - cozy space is really important to them!
I think that all the production brands are having to change their game as consumers are expecting more bang for their buck, especially with the constantly increasing boat prices.
yer it has two much storage😂
Way too much storage but I thought as I have had some complaints about showing too much storage on the videos I would make a proper effort to show it all for everyone who loves storage on boats. 😁
the guy that mention the wood issue knows a lot good for him $450K full of problem
Very good review... Quite nice boat except galley... I don't understand why Dufour uses this stupid galley design? There is no worktop in this size boat, why???
I don’t know about worktop but being the galley is in the most centralized part of the boat they are actually really good to work in, I was surprised the first time we used one on a 470 (we were in the Mediterranean) but it worked well. Time will tell if it will work in the smaller models, we are having a closer look next month so we will keep you posted. Glad you enjoyed the video and keep an eye out for updates.
The gas locker will be trashed within 5 mins. poor design, it would be better to have some form of polypropylene strip for protection
In one word. No. It would take too long to explain all the wrong things with this thrown-together boat.
I think for a production sailboat that is ment for family coastal cruising or charter, it’s a good proposition in the low 40ft range.
Just another production boat, flimsily and hurriedly put together in such a manner as to fall apart during it's life just a bit faster than the capacity of the owner to put it back together.
Yeah but wouldn't I love the opportunity to put it back together again
Looks stupid
What does?