What's new at Dufour for the coming year?
2017 is a key year for Dufour with the launch of the new Exclusive range, which completes the yard's offer with the Performance and Dufour Grand Large ranges. An opportunity for the shipyard to express its ability to develop luxury and premium boats. An emerging market for which there is still room, despite the introduction of competition. Dufour, a major player in the sailing yachting market, had to be present. This is done with the Exclusive range.
How did this new range come about?
The Exclusive range was designed with the development of the Dufour 63 Exclusive. A 63-foot yacht that will bring real innovation, both in design and layout. A beautiful showcase on the site's skills in this field. A hull still designed by Umberto Felci with innovations inspired by the motor boat that will position this unit on a "premium luxury" range. A unit that will be unveiled at the next Düsseldorf show in January 2017.
And why the 56 Exclusive presented at Cannes?
In developing the 63 Exclusive, we realized that the attributes that make up a luxury boat were not too far removed from those already owned by the largest sailboat in the current range: the 560 Grand Large. At the launch of this unit, we had chosen to limit ourselves to certain details to make it enter a more attractive price to be viable vis-à-vis competitors. Today, the market allows us to go as far as we originally imagined and we were able to create on this basis, the new 56 Exclusive presented to the public at the Cannes 2016 show.
How do you switch from 560 GL to 56 Exclusive?
The first point of belonging to this Exclusive range is the signature of the hull, a line inspired by the automotive industry. In terms of deck layout, we offer many rigging options on this range: furling mast, furling boom, canoe boom... The steering stations have a control system with access to the settings (reel, winches) directly from the console. But the biggest work has been done in style to give this yacht image. A detailed work in particular on teak with grey joints, on lighting with hull LEDs.
What about the facilities?
We have developed a range philosophy that we will apply to all future Exclusive models. For example, the opening of the crews that aerate the boat and give the feeling of a loft inside by allowing them to work on the decoration accessories. The saloon table is no longer foldable, but equipped with an electric stand. Work has also been done on the kitchen, with an enhanced fridge and aligned teams to have a more homogeneous look. The same in the front cabin with the removal of the sofa to give more space to an office area and a make-up area.
It is in the detail that we see the refinement.
Customization is also very advanced on these models with a sample of leather, nubuck and very varied fabric. Customers will have the choice through a very complete and high quality dedicated Sample Book. A very soft and qualitative touch from the cushions to the lining. The awning part is also suitable for electric models. Many details such as the integration of leather in handrails, the treatment of polished stainless steel parts or the work on the varnish which gives a very qualitative touch and positions the product in its category.
How do you see the future?
Currently, we have sold three 56 Exclusive and three 63 Exclusive. Cannes is a key trade fair for this type of boat. This success was confirmed by the public's welcome and the enthusiasm of the dealers. We are pleased with the shipyard's decision to move towards this premium market. We are confident for the future given our price positioning since the standard price of 56 Exclusive remains identical to the price of ex 560. We are maintaining our aggressive pricing policy while offering a much higher quality product.
Many panoramic photos are to be discovered here.
