Hot on the heels of the highly successful Dufour 390 and 430, Irish Dufour Yachts agents Crosshaven Boatyard have announced the launch of the new Dufour 530.
This latest new model demonstrates the investment and confidence in the brand, which is going from strength to strength.
Making her World debut at Boot Düsseldorf, the 530 is a merger of Dufour’s Grand Large and Performance ranges. A key difference is this yacht is available in three versions with distinctly different deck layouts.
The 530 ‘Easy’ model, as the name suggests, is the most simplified version, perfectly set up for owners wanting simple and straight forwards cruising. With a clean, uncluttered cabin roof layout, and control of all the lines which are led directly back to the helm, she will certainly be ‘easy’ to handle.
The 530 ‘Ocean’ model is specifically for owners seeking a traditional deck layout. The halyards are led to the aft cockpit/helm position, along with two additional winches for genoa and mainsheet control. A noticeably wide, full-width mainsheet traveller is positioned on the coach roof for enhanced mainsail trimming.
The 530 ‘Performance’ model is an evolution of the much-loved Performance Range. Aimed at owners wishing to race competitively, as well as maximise their cruising experience. The 530 Performance features an upgraded mast and boom package, an increased sail area of 20m2, additional winches, a 2.80m lead keel, plus a fully upgraded hydraulic package to safely control the increased loads.
The long and successful relationship with the renowned Felci Yacht design team sees many familiar features from previous Grand Large models included on the new 530. Together with the evolution of new ideas and opportunities from a completely new hull and deck design.
The now-familiar and impressive bow volumes have been adapted to maximise the available space forwards below decks. Extending the hull chines aft also offers enhanced performance and sailing comfort, as well as creating volumes of extra space, both above and below decks aft and in the cockpit area. An optional sunbed can be fitted in the large, spacious cockpit between the two helm stations, an idea borrowed from the Dufour 63.
Dufour 530 Performance
The aft transom area has been designed to include two access points into the cockpit from the bathing platform. Either side of the now ‘trademark’ Dufour BBQ and external galley, is the option to include retractable dinghy davits. There is ample, easily accessible stowage for vital safety equipment and a liferaft, and the whole cockpit can be covered by a semi-permanent bimini. The new cockpit design includes a step up for secure and easy access to the wide side decks and there’s specific storage areas for all the sheets and halyards.
The area below the transom has been engineered to enhance access to technical equipment and systems, both through a hatch in the cockpit floor and via hatches in the transom to make inspection and maintenance easy.
At 16.35m length overall, she has a waterline length just under 15m to enhance speed through the water. With a maximum beam of just under 5m, the Dufour 530 offers spacious living areas and accommodation. With a large forward galley, the saloon space is typical of the Dufour DNA, roomy, airy and with lots of natural daylight. Cabin layouts range between three cabins and three heads/showers up to six cabins, with double pullman cabins and three heads/showers. Up front there is a choice of a large forward owner’s cabin or twin double cabins for charter work, and aft the cabin layouts offer one double and one twin. Each model is available with a skipper’s cabin.
Base price: €300,700 ex VAT. Options and extras available on request. More from Hugh Mockler at Crosshaven Boatyard here
