Joining the Fountaine Pajot, the French brand Dufour has developed a strong activity with the 390 and 430 in Düsseldorf, leaving the Dufour 530 the role of the following debutant.
Exterior and interior design
Designer Umberto Felci faced an unusual challenge. His previous developments for the Grand Large and Performance lines got to get together into a sailboat. Subsequently, Dufour 530 got three editions: Easy, Ocean and Performance. Certainly, the difference between them is significant.
- Easy is for beginners and charter,
- Ocean – for the owner with plans for long trips,
- Performance – for racing, is characterized by the organization of rigging, high mast, no table in the cockpit and more draft.
On the other hand, all configurations have an enclosed cockpit, clean deck, glazed superstructure, hull with cheekbone in the stern and generous layout of the saloon.
Comfort on board
The Dufour 530 offers four configurations: from three cabins with three bathrooms to seven cabins (4+3, including the bow). The galley is offset to the bow and is tight, but the salon and dining areas are spacious. The Ocean version of the master cabin in the bow features a separate spacious shower.
The cockpit has a special bimini. Under it, there is a grill, fridge and sink, it is possible to install a solarium in the stern between the steering posts. There is a bathing platform in the transom.
Features of Dufour 530
The Dufour 530 is heavier than the competitors due to its reinforced hull, which affects speed and upgrades reliability. However, the layouts might look strange, and price policy poses questions. But with so many versions and options, as Dufour 530 has, you can always find a solution.
Cruising area
Category A certified, this sailboat has a good fuel reserve of 440 litres for an engine of 75 hp (a 110 hp engine is also worth considering). The water tanks carry 680 litres of water.