Designed by Umberto Felci and Patrick Roséo and introduced for the 2008 season, the boat belongs firmly in the modern performance-cruiser camp rather than the heavy-displacement tradition. Its moderate displacement-to-length figure of 67 and 30.6 percent ballast ratio reflect that balance of speed and cruising ability.
Design and Construction
The Dufour 45 E Performance has a 45-foot 8-inch hull, a 39-foot 9-inch waterline, and a generous 14-foot 10-inch beam. Displacement is 23,964 pounds, including 7,341 pounds of iron ballast.
Dufour’s construction philosophy for boats under 50 feet calls for solid fiberglass, and the 45 E follows that approach with a solid-fiberglass hull and deck. The hull-to-deck joint uses an inward-facing flange, while a one-piece structural grid is chemically fused and tabbed into the high-load areas.
The Felci–Roséo hull carries a bulb keel and spade rudder. Its design data include a 1.96 capsize ratio and a 26.22 comfort ratio, describing a boat tuned for offshore passages without giving up livability.
Rig, Deck, and Sailing Performance
Two rig-and-keel combinations were offered. The standard version pairs a 63-foot mast with a 6-foot-4-inch keel for Intracoastal-Waterway clearance. The tall-rig version combines a 68-foot mast with a deeper 7-foot-6-inch draft.
The triple-spreader rig carries a fully battened mainsail. A rigid vang, adjustable sheet leads, and a traveler spanning the full cockpit sole just forward of the wheels provide precise control of the 1,217-square-foot sail plan. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 23.4 points to lively acceleration. A recessed Facnor headsail-furling drum helps keep the foredeck clean.
The twin “faux carbon” wheels sit well aft and outboard, giving the helm a direct, almost ethereal connection to the boat’s balance. Test sailors reported 7.5 to 8 knots to weather in 10 to 12 knots of breeze. When the wind fell into single digits, the boat still averaged just under 7 knots.
The walk-through transom folds down to form a generous swimming and boarding platform.
Accommodations
Dufour offered the interior with either three or four cabins. Both layouts place the owner’s stateroom forward with a private attached head, and both have two separate, roomy double cabins aft. The four-cabin model takes space to starboard for an additional compartment with bunk-bed-style upper and lower singles.
In the central saloon, a port-side settee wraps around the dining table, opposite a long settee to starboard. The good-size galley lies to port and includes a gimbaled stove, a top- and front-loading fridge, ample Corian counter space, and useful working room. Opposite the galley are a simple but practical navigation station and the second head.
The three-cabin arrangement favors owner use, while the four-cabin, charter-style interior remains a common alternative. That gives buyers some flexibility in how they put the boat to work.
Machinery and Tankage
Auxiliary power comes from a 55-horsepower Volvo Penta diesel. Tankage comprises 66 gallons of fuel, 140 gallons of water, and a 13-gallon holding tank, supporting extended independent voyaging.
The twin-wheel layout and 13-gallon holding tank have proven durable in service.
Known Issue
Period testing identified one hardware shortfall worth noting before purchase: the bow roller and ground-tackle extension appear somewhat undersized for a boat of this length and displacement. The anchor gear deserves close inspection and likely an upgrade for serious cruising.
The Verdict
The Dufour 45 E Performance is a thoughtfully engineered performance cruiser with real speed, responsive helm control, and a clean, well-organized deck. Its accommodations are mature and flexible, while its construction follows Dufour’s proven solid-glass methods. The only documented weakness is the modest anchor gear, which is 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 a secure inward-flanged joint
- Flexible three- or four-cabin interior with roomy aft doubles
- Twin aft wheels and a full-width traveler for confident helm control
Cons
- Bow roller and ground-tackle extension are undersized for the boat
- Tall-rig version draws 7 feet 6 inches, limiting access to some cruising grounds
