| The Dufour 525 - The Best of Show |
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| Written by Ben Long | |
 The Dufour 525 was one of the boats that I was really looking forward to visiting at the Southampton Boat Show, and it certainly didn't disappoint, in fact it was our favourite boat of the show.Where to start? Wow! That should be all I need to write to review this incredible yacht, but I guess you'll probably need more than that before you start reaching for your wallet (you don't, but I'll humour you). Firstly, here are the specs: LOA: 50' 2" (15.31m) Hull length: 49' 2" (14.99m) Waterline length: 45' 1" (13.74m) Max beam: 16' 1" (4.90m) Shallow draft: 6' 6" (2.00m) Deep keel: 7' 7" (2.35m) Fuel capacity: 55 Gallons (250L) Water capacity: 176 Gallons (800L) Engine power: Volvo 75 CV Optional Engine: Yanmar 110 CV Total Sail area: 128.30 m2 As you can see from the specs, she isn't slim, and there's enough space on the foredeck for a full set of patio furniture! One of the things you notice walking up to the foredeck is how easy it is, thanks to the wide side decks, and also how uncluttered everything is. All the ropes running to the cockpit run underneath the coach roof, meaning less things to trip on while moving up to the foredeck in a force 5. Although with in mast furling and roller reefing, you shouldn't need to venture out of the cockpit too frequently. At the aft end, you will find a storage solution that most would associate with a motor cruiser, the transom lifts up providing you with space to store a dinghy, a liferaft (although to be honest I would prefer mine mounted on the deck where it's easy to get to) and and still have space for the kids and the mother in law. As with most boats of her size, the 525 has twin steering wheels ensuring that you always have the best helm position. The current seats are a little basic, but I understand they are going to be replaced with something more in keeping with her style and price tag. Stepping down below I was immediately impressed with how light and airy it was, this is partly to do with the number of portlights and partly due to the amount of headroom (nearly 2 metres throughout). Having spent a fair bit of time in guest cabins, I was interested to see what they were like, and I was pleasantly surprised. There are two portlights and a hatch, so although the cabin might seem a little small (I can't remember ever seeing a yacht with large guest cabins), it doesn't feel as claustrophobic as some I've been in, partly due to the ability to stand upright in it. The beds in the aft cabins are also bigger than in most yachts, they're over 2 metres long. The yacht we were looking around had the layout with 2 aft cabins, owners cabin and an L shaped galley, and would be layout I'd go for. With this layout, you get a table that seats 6 comfortably or 8 close friends. The seating layout has the traditional U shaped seats, but with an additional 2 arm chairs. On the opposite side to the table is a sofa, which means if you're entertaining, there's plenty of seating. Up forward on this layout was a single cabin, which had an en-suite head and a rounded bed. It's hard to gauge how well she handles when walking around at the Boat Show, but with a retractable bowsprit and bulb keel, she's certainly got some racing credentials. Apparently when they were moving her from La Rochelle around the coast to a recent boat show she got up to about 10 knots. I for one would love to see what she's really made of! For further details of the 525, or any other yachts in the Dufour range, visit www.dufour-yachts.com and if you're in the UK, Portway Yacht Sales.       Related Items:
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