The search results provide a lot of good information for each section.
Introduction:
- Designer: Umberto Felci (naval architect) and Patrick Roseo (interior and deck design).
- Builder: Dufour Yachts.
- Essence: Performance cruiser, striking a balance between exhilarating sailing and onboard comfort. Praised for combining regatta success with comfort.
- Production: Started 2005.
History and Design:
- Production: 2005 onwards (JSON production_end_year is null, so still relevant).
- Designer's philosophy: Umberto Felci is known for designing fast, slick hulls that don't slam. Dufour and Felci aim for a "subtle mix of performance and cruising". The Dufour 40 was nominated for "Audi Designer of the Year" and won "European Yacht of the Year 2005" in the over-10m category.
- Builder's ethos: Dufour Yachts, founded by Michel Dufour, has a history of pioneering fiberglass construction, focusing on high-quality, ready-to-sail boats with robust construction, typically solid fiberglass hulls and decks. They balance performance and comfort.
- Variations: "Performance version shown" in notes. Search results mention "Dufour 40 Performance". There's also mention of a "deep keel version" and "shoal version" and "SP GTE high performance versions". Different interior layouts are available, e.g., 3 cabins, 2 heads.
Sailing Performance and Handling:
- SA/D: 17.59 (calculated). Search result suggests 19.3, indicating "good light-air performance." This is a slight discrepancy, likely due to different reported sail area figures or calculation methods. I'll stick to my calculated one, but acknowledge it's for good light air. A value of 17.59 is still good for light air.
- Bal/D: 0.361 (calculated). Search result says a "high B/D ratio often means a more stable boat," but their reported ratio is not given. My calculated 0.361 is moderate.
- D/L: 175.5 (calculated). This means lighter and more performance-oriented.
- Anecdotal: "Agile", "very good driving characteristics", "joy to drive, very responsive and a real pleasure to sail", "stable and safe", "real sailing yacht", "strong potential for speed on all points of sail". Described as a "cruiser/racer". Felci designs are known for "slick fast hulls that doesn't slam a lot".
Accommodations and Layout:
- Max headroom: Not in, need search.
- Layout: Typically 3 cabins, 2 heads. Owners cabin in the bow. Galley and head at the companionway. Cockpit accommodates six adults. Offers a "spacious and comfortable interior".
- Finish quality/materials: "Joinery has plenty of actual real timber... well made". Interior teak, vinyl floor, Corian countertop in galley.
- Ventilation: Forward berth has good ventilation.
Owner's Perspectives:
- "Dufour owners are fanatics, they are a cult unto their own globally".
- Strengths: Solid construction, comfortable motion. Good sailing characteristics, responsiveness. Spacious and comfortable.
- Weaknesses/Common Issues: "Minor issues... resolved in later production runs". "Common area for inspection is the original deck fittings to develop leaks, requiring re-bedding" - This is a common issue for many older boats, but specific mention for Dufour makes it relevant.
Okay, I have enough information to construct the article following all instructions. I will ensure to cite all sentences referring to search results. I will carefully interpret the ratios. I will avoid listing raw data. I will structure with proper h2 headings.