Design and Naval Architecture
Felci's hull form draws a clear line toward performance. The bows are reversed and narrow to cleave water efficiently, an aesthetic borrowed from the high-end racer/cruiser end of the catamaran spectrum. The streamlined nacelle minimizes windage, though the tradeoff is a relatively modest bridgedeck clearance that guarantees good cabin volume but risks slamming in bigger seas. Overall length sits at 14.70 meters with a beam of 8.00 meters, and displacement is 14.96 tonnes. The boat was first shown at the 2018 Cannes Boat Show, where observers noted the sleek exterior lines that set it apart from purely utilitarian charter platforms.
Rig and Sailing Performance
Felci positioned the mast further aft than is conventional, pulling it back to allow for larger headsails, with the boom angled more as on Dufour's monohull line — a signature trait. The working sail inventory is substantial: a self-tacking jib of 517 sq ft pairs with a fathead mainsail of 818 sq ft, totalling approximately 1,335 sq ft upwind. The 969 sq ft Code 0 is the boat's primary off-wind weapon, and an optional fixed bowsprit opens the door to a 1,184 sq ft gennaker for serious downwind runs. Twin 60 HP Volvo saildrive units handle motoring and maneuvering in tight charter harbors. Tested in Sydney in 18 to 25 knots with a slight chop, hull number 29 gave reviewers a meaningful data point on the boat's real-world sailing character.
Outdoor Living and Deck Layout
The design philosophy prioritizes outdoor living across multiple dedicated spaces. The flybridge is the headline feature: an L-shaped settee wraps the upper deck to port, with a single helm seat to starboard, twin multifunction displays, and a small hardtop protecting the helm position. A double sunpad sits just ahead of the helm, separated from the control center by winches and a sheet bin. The cockpit below spans the full 26-foot beam and seats eight to port with a lounge to starboard. The entire transom serves as seating — or the platform for an optional BBQ. Access ashore is made easier by a choice of standard dinghy davits or a hydraulic platform measuring 12 feet across, which doubles as a beach platform and eliminates the need for a swim ladder for less-mobile guests. Forward, two double sunpads sit ahead of the coachroof, still leaving room for short trampoline sections flanking the central hard deck that houses the windlass.
Accommodations
Below decks, the 48 is configured for serious charter volume. The boat is rated for 12 overnight guests across layouts spanning three to five cabins with up to five heads. In the owner's configuration, the master suite occupies most of the port hull, with the bow freed for stowage or a crew cabin. That stateroom features extensive built-in stowage, a large outboard-facing desk, and a substantial vessel sink in the head. The starboard hull carries two guest cabins and heads, each with its own access stairway for maximum privacy, plus a day head and service room that can be fitted out with a single bunk cabin. On the main deck, an L-shaped galley and island to port anchors the saloon, with a dedicated navigation station in the starboard forward corner carrying repeater instruments and autopilot control — practical for driving from inside in poor weather. The 270-degree windows are vertical to resist solar heat gain, and the aft end is fully glazed with a sliding door and opening window.
Bridgedeck Clearance and Structural Considerations
The nacelle configuration that gives the 48 its tidy silhouette comes with a structural caveat worth understanding. Reviewers at Multihulls World flagged that the relatively modest bridgedeck clearance risks slamming in bigger seas. This is not unusual for a charter-oriented 48-footer optimized for Mediterranean and Caribbean anchorage conditions rather than blue-water passage-making, but buyers intending extended offshore passages should factor it into route planning. The boat's displacement of nearly 33,000 lbs places it firmly in the loaded cruising rather than performance-cruising category, and prospective owners should be realistic about the tradeoffs between interior volume and offshore motion comfort.
The Verdict
The Dufour 48 Catamaran is a thoroughly well-considered charter-heritage cruiser that translates Felci's eye for exterior line and Dufour's institutional knowledge of comfort into a multihull package. Its multiple outdoor entertainment zones, flexible cabin configurations, and sizable sail inventory make it an attractive choice for families and liveaboards who spend more time in protected waters than on open-ocean passages. The boat's Italian-built construction and unusual corporate history give it a degree of exclusivity in a segment otherwise dominated by French volume manufacturers.
Pros
- Felci-designed reversed bows and streamlined nacelle deliver a contemporary, performance-influenced aesthetic
- Exceptional outdoor entertainment space across three dedicated zones: flybridge, cockpit, and foredeck sunpads
- Flexible three-to-five-cabin layout accommodates owner and charter configurations
- Self-tacking jib plus Code 0 and gennaker options cover a wide wind range
- Privacy-forward starboard hull with independent access stairways to each guest cabin
- Vertical 270-degree windows control heat gain; fully glazed aft saloon maximizes natural light
Cons
- Modest bridgedeck clearance increases slamming risk in steep or confused seas
- Production transferred to a charter-company buyer post-Fountaine Pajot acquisition, raising long-term parts and support questions
- High displacement makes this a loaded passage-maker rather than a quick one
- Visibility aft from the flybridge helm makes reverse docking dependent on crew assistance
