Dufour 44 Performance Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Owner three-cabin and charter four-cabin arrangements are both well represented, and ex-charter examples are common. The three-cabin version pairs port and starboard aft doubles with a forward V-berth, while the fourth cabin inserts stacked bunks forward of the saloon. Either layout keeps a U-shaped galley, a starboard guest head by the companionway, and a generous nav station, with the saloon offering an L-dinette and a shorter starboard settee sea berth. Practical Sailor noted the aft cabins can feel stuffy in the tropics despite four hatches and six portlights.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

On the used market, biminis, chartplotters, autopilots, solar, inverters, and teak decks are commonly fitted, while heating, hot water, electric winches, and cockpit showers often appear. A frequent owner upgrade cluster centers on power and energy: solar and inverter additions support house batteries, though the tested boat showed uncovered terminals in the port aft berth. Canvas and sail-handling upgrades like a furling main or spinnaker show up less often, and navigation additions such as radar or AIS remain occasional. Comfort items including air conditioning or a watermaker are likewise less common, as are bow thrusters and life rafts.

What to Inspect

Practical Sailor’s survey of a sailed example found a saltwater backup through the anchor locker drain under way, leaving the chain sloshing in at least an inch of water, though the builder said this was not reported elsewhere. Check the battery compartment in the port aft berth for missing terminal covers, and confirm the aft propane locker lid is gasketed. The through-hull valves were in-line mixed-alloy types rather than bronze flanges, and six were clustered tightly for head hoses—inspect for corrosion and alignment. Teak decks, where fitted, were judged an option not worth the trouble.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

These yachts typically appear in Croatia, the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Greece, and France. For a buyer, the checklist is short: confirm layout count and charter history, verify the anchor locker drains clear, cover battery terminals, gasket the propane lid, and survey the mixed-alloy through-hulls. A well-kept example delivers quick, well-balanced helm with a roomy interior at a sensible ownership profile.