Dufour 42 (S&S) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Dufour 42 (S&S) begins in 1985 when the design, penned by Sparkman & Stephens (S&S Design #2462), was first brought to life as the Lacoste 42, built by Yachting France. This initial production run saw approximately 50 units constructed until 1991. Subsequently, Dufour Yachts, known for its forward-thinking embrace of fiberglass construction, took over the production of this esteemed design from 1988 to 1992, building 12 examples under the Dufour 42 (S&S) designation.

Sparkman & Stephens, a firm celebrated for their prolific and successful yacht designs, including multiple America's Cup winners, approached yacht design with a philosophy centered on creating highly capable and balanced hulls. Their expertise in producing vessels that excelled both on the race course and as comfortable cruisers is clearly evident in the Dufour 42. Dufour Yachts, founded by Michel Dufour, was a pioneer in fiberglass boatbuilding, committed to producing high-quality, ready-to-sail vessels. This commitment to robust construction is reflected in the Dufour 42 (S&S), which, like many Dufour yachts of its era, features solid fiberglass hulls and meticulously crafted fiberglass decks. A notable variation offered during its production was a shoal draft option, reducing the draft to 5.74 feet (1.75m).

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Dufour 42 (S&S) lives up to its designer's reputation, offering impressive sailing performance characteristics. With a calculated Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 25.0, she possesses ample sail area relative to her displacement, indicating strong performance in lighter winds and the ability to accelerate quickly. Her Ballast to Displacement (B/D) ratio of around 41.2% points to significant stability and stiffness, allowing her to stand up to a strong breeze and carry her canvas effectively without excessive heeling. This contributes to a comfortable motion in a seaway.

Furthermore, a Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of roughly 183.5 classifies her as a relatively lighter, performance-oriented boat for her size, suggesting good speed potential and responsiveness. Owners and sailing enthusiasts have anecdotally described the Lacoste 42, which shares the same S&S design, as an "excellent" sailing boat, performing comparably to other well-regarded performance cruisers of its time such as C&C, Hylas 42, Nordic 44, or Choate 40 models. She is noted as a "very high performer" that is "very stable / stiff and has a good righting capability". With a length overall of just over 42 feet and a long waterline of nearly 36 feet, she offers performance competitive with larger vessels of her era.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific detailed interior layouts for the Dufour 42 (S&S) are not widely publicized, the Lacoste 42, which is the same design, was noted for its "classically elegant lines and unprecedented interior comfort and smart design". Generally, Dufour Yachts of this period emphasized combining functionality with design to create comfortable living spaces, often featuring generous use of solid wood and natural light. Given her overall length of 42.16 feet and a beam of 12.63 feet, the Dufour 42 (S&S) would typically offer a spacious interior for a boat of her vintage. Common layouts for performance cruisers of this size usually include a comfortable V-berth forward, a main salon with settees and a dining table, a functional galley, a dedicated head compartment, and one or two quarter berths or aft cabins. The general Dufour philosophy suggests well-integrated storage and thoughtful use of materials to create a welcoming environment below deck.