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Dufour Yachts 470 (2021-)

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Specifications

Length Overall 48'9"
14.85 m
Beam 15'6"
4.74 m
Dry Weight 29,101 lbs.
13,200 kg
Draft 7'4"
2.25 m
Fuel Capacity 66 gallons
250 L
Water Capacity 140 gallons
530 L

The Dufour 470 has straightforward lines and an open deck that will appeal to sailors of various experience levels.

Editor’s Report by Eric Colby

French sailboat manufacturer Dufour Yachts says it has re-invented itself with its new series of yachts, including the 470, which made its debut in late 2020. In a statement, the company, which is based in La Rochelle, France, said the new model “enjoys the yard’s DNA while offering an edge of modernity.”

“Versatility” is an oft-used term in this day and age, but it’s legitimate with the Dufour 470, which is available in three deck layouts. Design wrinkles allow for the optimum use of space to ensure that sailors ranging from casual cruisers to competitive racers will find what they want in a boat that is a manageable size, 48’9” (14.85 m) with a 15’6” (4.74 m) beam.

Three Versions

Dufour says the “Easy” version of the 470 is for owners and renters who want simplicity and comfort. The deck plan is intended to provide for easy passage from bow to stern. Regardless of the version, the boat has side safety cables and stanchions with a rail across the stern.

The Easy version has the side decks finished in nonskid fiberglass rather than teak, which should make it easier to keep them clean.

The “Ocean” version is targeted at owners who want a more traditional deck layout with the sheets positioned on the coamings and the halyard and mainsail travelers close to the helm station.

The Ocean version has the teak deck side decks and much of the rigging within reach of the helm for single- or short-handed sailing.

The “Performance” version is for sailors who want to challenge themselves and even for competitive regatta sailors. She comes with six high-quality winches and the clew at the bottom of the cockpit to make her race-ready.

The Performance version places a focus on winch locations to make the Dufour 470 ready to compete.

On all versions of the Dufour 470, there are steps on each side and the center of the transom folds down to create a swim platform.

Four Layouts

Regardless of the version, the Dufour 470 comes with dual helm stations and lounges just ahead. The helmsman can easily see over the passengers seated just ahead. A hatch in the stern opens to provide access to the small garage and creates a swim platform as well.

Layout 1 has three cabins with two aft and the owner’s stateroom forward. Each cabin has a private head and the galley and dinette are at amidships.

Layout 2 provides sleeping for 10 with two cabins aft, a pullman at amidships and two more in the bow. As with all the plan offerings, she has the captain’s cabin in the forepeak.

Layout 3 offers four cabins with four heads, which could be the most popular plan for chartering or shared ownership.

Layout 4 has only three staterooms and two heads with a larger salon and the galley forward to port.

All of the layouts have a salon that will seat at least four in the dinette with windows in the hullsides and trunk cabin plus deck hatches, all of which let in abundant natural light. The galley has good serving and prep space on the counters and a good choice of storage offerings.

Dufour provides storage outboard of the dinette in the overhead compartment and notice the wine rack just ahead.

With Layout 4, the galley is forward to port and looks to be efficiently designed for keeping the crew fed.

In the fourth layout, there’s a lounge to port opposite the dinette with the galley just ahead.

In Layouts 1 and 4, the master stateroom is in the bow with the berth on the centerline.

The guest cabins look equally inviting with shades to close the hullside windows and lockers just above.

Other Specifications

The Dufour 470 displaces 29,101.02 lbs. (13,200 kg) and draws 7’5” (2.25 m) with a sail area of 1,151.74 sq. ft. (107 sq. m) for the main and 538.2 sq. ft. (50 sq. m) for the genoa. She’s powered by an inboard engine and carries 66 gallons (250 liters) of fuel and 140 gallons (530 liters) of freshwater.