Design and Construction
The Grand Large hulls are a little deeper and somewhat fuller forward and aft than the Performance hulls, and the builder claimed incrementally increased volume in the middle and aft sections with a slightly widened cabin trunk compared to the Performance 44. The hand laminated GRP hull carries an NPG gelcoat backed by NPG resin in the skincoat to protect against osmosis, and an internal grid structure supporting the keel is reinforced with Twaron, an aramid fiber similar to Kevlar. A structural grid is laminated to the hull for stiffness, and the decks are balsa-cored, built by resin infusion, which permits them to be constructed lightly and reliably. The cast iron keel draws 2.00 meters in the shoal-draft form, with bolt loads taken up by a stainless steel backing plate and a massive bonding strap connecting the keelbolts to the grounding system. A semi-elliptical rudder filled with closed cell epoxy foam sits on a stainless steel solid stock.
Rig and Handling
The 455 carries a deck-stepped Sparcraft 15/16 fractional alloy rig with twin swept-back spreaders and continuous stainless steel rigging, the cap, intermediate, and lower shrouds meeting a single chainplate close to the cabin trunk to leave the side decks clear. Sail plans are less lofty than the Performance models, though plainly adequate, with a 100-percent sail area of 849 square feet and a 140-percent overlapping genoa providing most of the driving power. All lines lead back to the cockpit, and the mainsheet traveller sits on the cabin top. Test sailors found her energetic yet well balanced under full working sail of main and 130-percent genoa in gusty conditions, and writing in boatsales.com.au, the reviewer recorded 7 to 7.5 knots reaching down to Longnose Point and later charged along at 8.2 to 8.5 knots. The relatively low-revving Volvo and saildrive, together with effective insulation, created comfortably low sound levels, and the 75-horsepower version drove the yacht to 8.5 knots under power.
Accommodations
Dufour offered two belowdecks arrangements: a three-cabin layout and an optional four-cabin version, both with two heads and berths for six plus one. The master stateroom sits farther aft than on the Performance 44 and carries an island king-size bed flanked by settees, brightly lit by a pair of escape-size hatches. Both aft cabins have hanging lockers, shelves, and cross-flow ventilation, while the saloon is an exceedingly beamy space lined in Moabi mahogany with a centerline settee whose back incorporates a hefty grabrail. The longitudinal galley to port pairs a big Corian counter with top-opening refrigeration of 250 liters and a gimballed three-burner stove. Ventilation is generous, with 10 deck hatches, four opening roof portlights, and two hull portlights in the saloon. The interior wood is all solid Moabi with no painted surfaces, and cabin-sole lift-outs carry foam strips to silence rattles.
Known Issues
The production-efficient hull leaves a miniature bilge sump, a quirk noted by Cruising World's testers rather than a defect. The sealed floorboard edges and bonded teak decking reflect attention to long-term upkeep.
Refits and Ownership
Owners shopping a 455 will find the engine tucked behind the companionway steps on gas struts, with removable panels revealing all primary servicing items on the Volvo. A standard 200 amp-hour house bank sits in the technical space between aft cabins, with room to expand. The test boat carried a 6kW Panda generator in a separate bow locker and a windlass as part of the Cruising pack. Electric Harken 53 primaries sit beside the wheel, and 44.2 ST halyard winches ride the cabin top, making short-handed sail handling practical.
The Verdict
The Dufour 455 Grand Large is a thoughtfully engineered volume cruiser that trades lofty rig and razor hull for livable space, quiet mechanicals, and a balanced helm. Its Moabi interior and practical deck layout reward the cruising family, while the Twaron-reinforced grid and osmosis-resistant skincoat speak to durable construction. The shallow bilge sump is the one concession to production logic worth noting before purchase.
Pros
- Full-volume hull with three- or four-cabin layouts and a roomy master stateroom set farther aft than the Performance 44
- NPG gelcoat with NPG resin skincoat and Twaron-reinforced keel grid for longevity
- All lines to cockpit, electric primaries at the helm, and low sound levels from Volvo saildrive
- Generous tankage of 250 liters fuel and 530 liters water for modest passagemaking
Cons
- Miniature bilge sump complicates bilge management
- Less lofty rig than Performance siblings limits light-air spark
- Mainsail controls lead to companionway, out of reach of a busy helmsman
