Design and Construction
Dufour's sub-50-foot construction philosophy holds that hulls in this size range are laid up in solid fiberglass, and the 45 E follows that rule with a solid hull and deck, an inward-facing flange where hull meets deck, and a structural grid chemically fused and tabbed into the high-load zones. The Felci–Roséo hull carries a bulb keel and spade rudder, with the twin "faux carbon" wheels set well aft and outboard to give the helm a direct, almost ethereal connection to the boat's balance. The 1.96 capsize ratio and 26.22 comfort ratio from the design data describe a vessel tuned for offshore passages without sacrificing livability.
Rig and Handling
The triple-spreader rig carries a fully battened main and comes in two mast heights: a 63-foot spar paired with the 6-foot-4-inch standard keel for Intracoastal-Waterway clearance, or a 68-foot tall rig matched to a 7-foot-6-inch deep draft anchor. A traveler spanning the full cockpit sole just forward of the wheel, a rigid vang, and adjustable sheet leads give precise control of the 1,217-square-foot sail plan, whose 23.4 sail-area-to-displacement ratio speaks to lively acceleration. The recessed Facnor headsail-furling drum keeps the foredeck clean. Test sailors found her trucking to weather at a solid 7.5 to 8 knots in 10 to 12 knots of breeze, and still averaging just under 7 knots when the wind dropped into single digits anchor.
Accommodations
Below, the walk-through transom folds down to a generous swimming and boarding platform, and the interior offers a choice of three or four cabins. Both layouts place the owner's stateroom forward with a private attached head, and each version sports a pair of separate, roomy double cabins aft. The four-cabin model borrows starboard space for an extra compartment with bunk-bed-style upper and lower singles. The central saloon wraps a settee and dining table to port opposite a long starboard settee, while a good-size galley to port carries a gimbaled stove, top- and front-loading fridge, and ample Corian counter space. Opposite the galley sit a simple but useful navigation station and the second head.
Known Issues
Period testing flagged one hardware shortfall worth noting before purchase: the bow roller and ground-tackle extension appear a bit undersized for a boat of this length and displacement anchor. The anchor gear deserves a close look and likely an upgrade for serious cruising.
Refits and Ownership
Owners taking delivery specified either the standard 63-foot mast with shallow keel or the tall rig for deeper water, and the 55-horsepower Volvo Penta diesel, 66-gallon fuel tank, and 140-gallon water capacity support extended independent voyaging. The 13-gallon holding tank and twin-wheel layout have proven durable in service. The four-cabin charter-style interior remains a common alternative to the owner's three-cabin arrangement, giving buyers flexibility in how the boat is tasked.
The Verdict
The Dufour 45 E Performance is a thoughtfully engineered performance cruiser that rewards its helm with real speed and a clean, well-organized deck. Her accommodations are mature and flexible, and her construction follows Dufour's proven solid-glass methods. The only documented weakness is modest anchor gear, easily addressed.
Pros
- Cruising World's 2011 Best Cruiser award for the design by Umberto Felci and Patrick Roséo
- Solid-fiberglass hull and deck with secure inward-flanged joint
- Flexible three- or four-cabin interior with roomy aft doubles
- Twin aft wheels and full-width traveler for confident helm control
Cons
- Bow roller and ground-tackle extension undersized for the boat's size
- Tall-rig version draws 7 feet 6 inches, limiting some cruising grounds
