Design and Construction
The 63 Exclusive is built on a high-tech full-composite hull, deck and structures, with sandwich bulkheads completely laminated to both hull and deck anchor. That construction concept delivers outstanding rigidity while shedding a notable amount of weight, and the result is high sailing performance without any reduction in the safety margin. Felci Yacht Design reached what the review describes as the optimum ratio between hull-form stability and overall drag, giving the boat considerable stability that is welcome on offshore passages and low resistance that yields fine performance under sail in light winds as well as when motoring. The hi-tech hull also permits an increased motoring cruising speed of up to 11 knots.
Rig and Handling
The rigging is offered across a wide spectrum, from an in-mast furling system with V-boom to a sporty carbon mast carrying performance full-battened sails anchor. All halyards, sheets and trim lines are led below deck directly in front of the steering columns, where the helmsman can reach them, and a fixed tarpaulin bracket spans the cockpit to clear it of the mainsheet guide. A self-tacking jib is standard, while a code zero or gennaker can be set on the fixed bowsprit, which also carries the anchor. The helm station is laid out to give full command of the electric winches, engine controls, bow and stern thrusters, anchor winch, underwater lights and a large display. Under sail the boat carries 202 square metres upwind — a 108 square-metre mainsail and 94 square-metre 108% jib — and 368 square metres downwind including a 260 square-metre gennaker.
Accommodations and Deck Life
As a semi-custom yacht the 63 Exclusive is available in various interior layouts, all sharing a huge overhead window panel that floods the saloon with natural light. Layouts range between an aft owner suite and a forward owner suite, and between two cabins with three heads and four cabins with four heads, with a Pullman option; a skipper's cabin sits in the bow. On deck, the upper surface carries two long-chairs integrated into the teak, one to each side. The cockpit centres on a convertible double bed and aft table positioned between the two steering wheels; the bed folds very easily into a second independent cockpit table, and beneath it sits the recognizable Dufour aft barbecue, intended to be used while standing on the wide swimming platform. A tender garage lies under the aft deck, and the stern has two side accesses to the large folding bathing platform, with a central body providing added storage.
Equipment and Systems
Standard power is a 180 HP Volvo Penta diesel, with a 230 HP engine offered as an option. A carbon roll bar distinguishes the cockpit, and the stern can optionally receive a barbecue station with fridge and sink, a folding sun lounger, and an electro-hydraulic gangway that extends from the transom. Fresh water capacity is 780 litres and the diesel tank holds 870 litres. An optional fixed bimini, used with the sprayhood, can almost completely enclose the cockpit against sun, wind and water.
The Verdict
The Dufour 63 Exclusive is a large, genuinely configurable flagship that trades on composite construction discipline and Felci's drag-and-stability tuning rather than on volume alone. Her cockpit and stern arrangements are among the most thoughtful afloat for warm-water living, and the semi-custom interior lets an owner choose between private-suite and charter-friendly plans without compromising the bright saloon.
Pros
- Full-composite hull and laminated bulkheads give rigidity with meaningful weight savings
- Considered light-air and motoring performance from low-resistance hull form
- Versatile rig options from furling to carbon performance mast
- Semi-custom layouts with a consistently light-filled saloon
- Innovative aft cockpit bed/table and integrated transom entertaining features
Cons
- Optional engine and rig upgrades mean standard and equipped boats differ markedly
