Dufour 45 E Information, Review, Specs

The 45 E reflects Dufour Yachts' long-standing heritage of crafting high-quality production boats from fiberglass.

The Dufour 45 E began its production run in 2008, emerging from Dufour Yachts' state-of-the-art facility in La Rochelle, France. Designed by Umberto Felci, with an interior by Patrick Roseo, the model aimed to strike a balance between a voluminous hull for comfort and very high performance. This design philosophy aligns with Dufour's broader ethos of creating yachts that offer both speed and luxurious amenities. True to the builder's commitment to robust construction, Dufour hulls under 50 feet, including the 45 E, are typically built of solid fiberglass, with meticulously crafted fiberglass decks. While the standard draft is 6.39 feet, a deep keel version with a draft of 7.54 feet (2.30 meters) was also available, offering enhanced performance characteristics.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Dufour 45 E is distinguished by its impressive sailing performance and responsive handling, earning praise as one of the finest-sailing boats in its class. With a calculated sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 18.05, she demonstrates excellent light-air performance, ensuring good speed even in lighter breezes. Her displacement to length ratio of around 168.3 indicates a lighter, more performance-oriented vessel, contributing to her agility. The ballast to displacement ratio of 0.306 suggests moderate stiffness, allowing her to stand up to the wind effectively without excessive heel.

Reviewers consistently note the 45 E's fine handling under sail, praising its ability to carry on smoothly and ascend the knotmeter even in puffs. The boat is often described as being easy to sail, even singlehanded, thanks to a powerful yet easily controlled sail plan and a well-thought-out deck layout. The spade rudder provides excellent control, making common handling issues manageable. She is capable of achieving a hull speed of 8.46 knots, with reported cruising speeds of around 7.5 knots.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Dufour 45 E, designed by Patrick Roseo, is characterized by spacious volumes typical of the Dufour brand, offering accommodations that are noted to stand out from others in its fleet. The boat was offered with a choice of either a three- or four-cabin layout. A common configuration is the three-cabin layout, featuring a comfortable double V-berth forward. The owner's stateroom, located forward, typically includes a good-sized double bunk and an en-suite private head. In total, the typical layout offers 3 cabins, 6+2 berths, and 2 heads, providing ample space and privacy for cruising.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners and reviewers frequently highlight the Dufour 45 E as an excellent family boat, praising its blend of ample performance with comfortable living spaces and excellent sailing qualities. The yacht is often seen as a versatile cruiser-racer that delivers on its promise of speed and comfort. While specific recurring issues are not widely reported in public forums or reviews, the overall sentiment points to a yacht that performs well and offers a positive ownership experience, benefiting from Dufour's long-standing reputation for robust construction and design excellence.