Ten yachts from the Dufour 41 Performance one-design jockeyed for position on the start line of the Kornati Cup at the end of April. All ten boats were configured in Performance version at the request of Pitter Charter.
These are classic Dufour 41 sailing yachts that can be converted into true racing boats. In fact, the cockpit table can be removed and replaced with a mainsheet track. This configuration allows for even finer sail trim and therefore some remarkable performance.
Performance and comfort: The DNA of Dufour Yachts
This is a remarkable feature of Dufour’s DNA and is found in all the models in the range. Offering high-performance, seakindly yachts while guaranteeing comfort of the highest order and great liveaboard conditions. This is a combination that the passionate teams at the Dufour shipyard strive to achieve, in cooperation with naval architect Umberto Felci and interior designer Luca Ardizio.
While the performance version of Dufour yachts is designed to get the most speed out of the boat, comfort is still a key consideration. Similarly, in the Easy and Ocean versions, the deck hardware is different, and the aim is not the same, but the yachts retain their seafaring character and strong identity.
Joint interview with Umberto Felci and Romain Lucat
Umberto Felci is the naval architect who works closely with the Dufour teams. He is responsible for designing the yachts in the Dufour range. His expertise and know-how enable him to create particularly elegant sailing boats that deliver exceptional performance.
Romain Lucat is the product development manager for the Dufour brand. He leads the teams that conceive and design Dufour sailing yachts.
How did the Kornati Cup go for the Dufour team?
Umberto Felci: It was an incredible experience. This was the first time that Dufour had taken part in racing with a one-design from its range. It really highlighted the design and seaworthiness of the Dufour 41. This fleet made me proud of the collaboration between the Dufour shipyard and Felci Yacht Design.
Romain Lucat: The Kornati Cup went amazingly well for the Dufour crew! The sun and wind were perfect for this perfectly organised race. To put the icing on the cake, the Dufour crew won the race in the Dufour 41 one-design fleet.
You sailed on a high-performance Dufour 41. What makes this boat ideal for this type of racing?
R.L: The Dufour 41 has many qualities that make it an ideal sailing boat for this type of sailing. Among these qualities, I would highlight two major points:
- The yacht is very well suited to racing, with excellent speed on all points of sail. In the Performance version, the wide mainsheet track and optimised headsail sheet cars allow for even finer sail trimming.
- It’s a particularly comfortable sailing boat. Whether at anchor or alongside in port, the Dufour 41 has everything you need to rest and relax after a long day’s racing: spacious bathrooms for showering, a practical galley for preparing meals, a comfortable saloon for relaxing and cabins that are perfect for spending the night.
In short, the Dufour 41 is in keeping with the brand’s DNA, offering the perfect compromise between marine performance and first-class comfort. The balance between the various features is just right.
U.F: The performance version of the Dufour 41 we were on was fast and handled very well at sea. It is also a boat that proved easy to manoeuvre in all conditions.
I noticed that we had excellent upwind performance and could point higher compared to other yachts. Downwind sailing was also very enjoyable and the speed of the Dufour 41 was, once again, remarkable.
The new Dufour range was well represented during this edition of the Kornati Cup. Why did our yachts perform so well?
U.F: Dufour yachts were the centre of attention during the Kornati Cup. I think this is primarily due to their recognisable design: a sleek and very elegant look. It’s also down to their performance, not just the Dufour 41, but also the other yachts from the brand that took part, all of which achieved very respectable positions in the rankings.
Dufour yachts also stood out thanks to their build quality. This is largely due to the shipyard’s desire to constantly innovate while listening to the needs of future owners.
R.L: It’s thanks to the expertise and know-how of our naval architect Umberto Felci. We asked him to achieve real feats in terms of hull volume. This may seem a little contradictory with performance and seaworthiness, but together, we have found the best balance.
The yacht is therefore simple and intuitive at sea. During the Kornati Cup, the Dufour 44 and Dufour 41 quickly and easily took the lead.
How did you feel sailing alongside so many yachts from the new range?
R.L: Among the hundred or so yachts at the start of the Kornati Cup, the Dufours really stood out. The Dufour crew was especially proud to see all these boats sailing side by side. Their hull portholes give the Dufour range an elegant and racy look, making them easy to spot.
It was a superb experience, especially during the start sequences. Seeing a real fleet of Dufour 41s setting off like that was wonderful.
U.F: These few days of racing were really enjoyable. It made me very proud of the work we’ve done and continue to do to create exceptional yachts.
I think all the crews on board the Dufour 41 yachts were delighted to take part in this close competition. We were probably the happiest fleet to take part in this edition of the Kornati Cup.
How was the week you spent on board in terms of living comfort and comfort under way?
U.F: We had a wonderful time with the entire Dufour team. It was an opportunity to share and socialise outside the office, which helps to strengthen our cooperation, which has already been going strong for several years.
Whether it was sailing, where the manoeuvres were carried out very naturally and smoothly, or during the time we spent together, comfort was the order of the day. We enjoyed some wonderful evenings with good food and the plancha grill on the sugarscoop provided welcome refreshments between races.
R.L: Once again, we were able to confirm our choices in terms of ergonomics and comfort aboard Dufour yachts. We took full advantage of all the comfort offered by the Dufour 41.
Together with the team members, we were able to chat with the owners who were attending, discuss the operation of our yachts’ equipment and share some day-to-day tips.
Looking forward to the next edition
R.L: The ten Dufour 41s that took part in this edition of the Kornati Cup were equipped with a special version of the Performance Pack. This was a special request from Pitter Charter: to be able to remove the cockpit table to install a mainsheet traveller. The aim was to have a yacht that was equally suited to racing and cruising. This challenge was brilliantly met by our teams.
I have asked the Kornati Cup organisers to double the number of Dufour 41 yachts for the next edition. Many of the best crews in the other classes were impressed by these yachts. The standard is set to rise even higher! Three winning crews in their respective categories have already signed up to sail a Dufour 41 in 2026!