where are dufour yachts made

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What about Dufour yachts?

• Thread starter Rico(IT)
• Start date Jan 25, 2011
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

never been on one but have admired one in our marina for years, I love the look of that boat! Will be interested to see what responses you get!  

I have never sailed one but about 10 years ago a broker insisted on showing me one and I was not impressed. I have a feeling that their limited quantities in the US make them difficult to sell as the broker was very intent on selling me that boat. I had already told him I was not interested but he persisited until I broke the relationship. This may be relevent: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...z-going-down-dufour-grand-soleil-trouble.html Search the boards at sailnet.com and you will find lots of info.  

Tim is too modest to tell you this. If you really want a fine moderately priced sailboat it would be hard to beat his Caliber. A much better boat than the Dufour IMHO.  

Ditto on that Caliber LRC, its a beauty.............. Red  

Dufour's have been available on and off in the US since at least the late 70s. Not sure if the company is the same group, but they have always been out of France. I have been told their availability new in the US varies depending on currency values. From what I see they are a decent boat. Completely different philosophy than the Caliber, which also a good boat.  

Thanks guys for your answer! I just reserved a sea trial on the Dufour 405 ( http://www.dufour-yachts.com/boat-dufour-405-7.html ) for next week I will tell you more after this sailing... Hope is going to be windy that day! Are you guys going to the boat show in SD this week end?  

SD baot show? Long drive for me.  

fwiw, I crew on a 2005 dufor 34 shoal. the shoal draft hurts us in racing upwind, but we are very fast downwind. nice well built boat, Except for the wire. I do not think its tinned, since the front bow lights wires fell apart. (but the runs were nice, and had a plastic junction box int he anchor well so I could splice in new run to the bow light. Oh, this boat has a sail drive. very quiet, but it doesn't have enough hours to make an opinion on maintenance.  

Dufour has new owners Bavaria group. Dufour and Grand Soleil are under the new ownership of Bavaria. They will remain as three seperate boatbuilders as as the owners discribe the product lines like the car world. Bavaria is the Volkswagon (German), Dufour is Audi (French) and Grand Soleil is the Porsche (Italian). To compare the Caliber it's a long range "cruiser" with skeg hung rudder, simi full keel, and not the performance hull shape as the Dufour. The Dufour line of boats are more performance cruisers rather than long range cruisers and they have a line of performance racers also. Have sailed the Dufour 525 and 405 with the local dealer and they are easily driven hulls with wide open deck areas and low cabin structures. Great lines ! Let me know about your experience on the trial sail.  

Guys it was cool, Also because of a nice 12 knt !! I loved those electric winches! The D405 grand Large was pretty fast for a cruising boat we were cruising beam reach at 8 knt! And there were free sandwiches!!  

I really like Dufours, they are well made and sail very nice. I believe the hulls are vinylester and manufactured using "scrimp" technology. However, unless you plan on keeping the Dufour forever I might consider something else. Selling a sailboat when you are finished with it becomes a challenge especially if you have a rare model or something that is not mainstream. You limit you future buyers and in turn will probably get less money that you were expecting. I chose my boat (Beneteau 36.7) for its sail performance capabilities but more for its future marketability. I figure the brand name is well know and the type of boat with its huge following may also help me when it comes time to sell. But what do I know, the economy could tank just when it comes time for me to sell and nothing will matter at that point.  

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The Dufour Shipyard

One of the major sailboat manufacturer worldwide.

Established more than 50 years ago on the Atlantic Coast, Dufour plays an important role in the region and is one of the main employers in La Rochelle.

With a production capacity of more than 18.000 m² and 420 full-time employees, Dufour counts among the biggest shipyards in the world.

In 1957, young engineer Michel Dufour discovered the new material, polyester. At the time, he was a  keen competition sailor  with a real  passion for yachts , class rules and hydrodynamics. This sparked his idea to build a  yacht made of polyester . In 1964, Michel Dufour started to design the “Sylphe” transportable yacht. He took a lot of financial risks to make the yacht, rented a hangar and started to make the “Sylphe” under the aegis of his newly formed company, Le Stratifié Industriel.

The famous  Italian naval architect Umberto Felci  and the designers of Dufour Yachts work in very close cooperation to get hulls of the very best quality. The worldwide reputation of our yachts does not need to be reminded.

100% made in France, all  Dufour Yachts models  are thinked, designed and produced in La Rochelle, in the company headquarters. With near  400 sailboats  built by year,  Dufour Yachts  controls the whole supply chain, from the project development to expedition, passing from the mounting and wood work.

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Dufour Yachts: Performance-Based Monohulls

For more than 50 years, Dufour has been creating yachts with a strong distinctive design that has made it one of the most respected and loved yacht manufacturers the world has ever seen. Now merging with Fountaine Pajot, the Dufour brand continues to be a major force on the world’s waters.

Yachts and the growth of sailing across the world likely wouldn’t have been possible without Michel Dufour’s designs more than 50 years ago. By respecting both the lifestyle and performance of yacht sailing, Dufour saw the need for meticulous design to bring together a vibrant helm with a stable and steady hull form.

Dufour took that passion and created some of the world’s most incredible yachts, while the Dufour factory developed into a production line with its sights set solidly on quality and precision.

That passion continues today at the Dufour plant located in the heart of France’s incredible sailing culture in La Rochelle – all on the same grounds for the entire company’s history. The shipyard is one of the world’s largest and supports more than 450 employees – many of whom enjoy sailing themselves – while being a major focal point for the French sailing community.

In 2002, legendary yacht designer Umberto Felci brought his incredible skill for the design of race-winning yachts to the Dufour team, setting a new benchmark for yacht design. His yachts have spectacular lines, comfortable ergonomics, and most importantly, incredible performance.

Exterior Design

Dufour Yachts have always been iconic. Even from far away, the brand has been recognizable to sailing enthusiasts and novices alike. That foundation came from Michel Dufour’s original designs and continues to this day under the guidance of Felci.

With hard lines, a thin waterline beam, and a distinguished bowsprit, Dufour’s new era has been driven by Felci’s vision and Dufour’s history.

The Dufour Yacht Range

Interior Design

While the deck and exterior may boast performance, thrills and speed, the interior is designed with quality and comfort in mind. The Dufour team has made the spacious interior simple for a reason – to fit you.

When it comes to the interior, Dufour wants to make you and your passengers feel safe, comfortable and relaxed. Need a private area for a relaxing evening? Dufour can provide a secluded escape with its captain’s quarters. For those interested in chartering their yacht, there is an option with two cabins forward and an extra bathroom.

Deck and Rigging

Dufour offers three rig and deck plans to best fit your needs:

EASY – The design offers comfort and simplicity with winches and clutches all positioned on the coaming.

OCEAN – This package offers more trimming possible, more controls on the coach roof all within helms’ reach.

PERFORMANCE – Boating a taller mast, bigger sail area and option for a deeper keel for more thrills and fun on the water.

Dufour remains a leader because of its innovation by pushing trends forward. That’s why Felci’s firm has created three new design trends for three different atmospheres:

Boston – For those who love the traditional staples of sailing but want the modern touches and perfect lines right down to the finish for the yacht.

Europe – Today’s finest interior design comes to life with contemporary finishes.

Millenium – Trending to a new level for those who want the modern graces, with key metal details and electric blue fabrics.

Dufour sailing monohulls are meticulously crafted for performance cruising. With our team at Atlantic Cruising Yachts, you can own the Dufour of your dreams, expressly set up for you. Discover the ACY Difference and learn more about our complete range of Dufour yachts here .

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Dufour 425 GL: solid, spacious & ocean capable

• Duncan Kent
• February 15, 2021

Solidly built, spacious and fast, the Dufour 425 GL was one of the most popular boats in Dufour’s Grand Large range, as Duncan Kent discovers

The Dufour 425 GL has a practical deck layout for short-handed crews. Credit: JM Rieupeyrout/Dufour Yachts

Product Overview

Dufour 425 gl, manufacturer:.

Review of the Dufour 425 GL

All of Dufour’s Grand Large (GL) range of cruising yachts were designed to maximise internal volume and therefore carry their ample beam all the way from midships to transom.

That said, they also offered a good turn of speed and a stable, well-balanced sailing performance in most conditions.

Design & construction of the Dufour 426 GL

The Dufour 425 GL was never classed as a blue water cruising yacht, but is steadfast enough to cross oceans with the right gear and was built solidly enough to easily withstand heavy seas and high winds.

Her fine bows, plumb stem and long waterline made her quick and slam-free to windward, while her shallow bilge sections and broad stern made her slippery off the wind.

The hand-built hull and deck was robustly constructed using waterproof resins for integrity and durability.

Headroom of 2m/6ft 6in and plenty of portlights makes it bright below. Credit: P Contin

With substantial Twaron-reinforced longitudinal hull stringers and a hefty, moulded floor framework, she is stiff and strong.

Her deck is a vacuum-infused polyester resin moulding with a balsa core for insulation and extra stiffness.

She sports a deep fin keel with a cast iron ballast bulb at the foot, which means she’s stiff in a blow.

An equally deep, semi-balanced spade rudder ensures she tracks well and doesn’t lose her grip on the water when heavily heeled.

A spacious and practical deck layout ensures ease of handling for short-handed crews, with the running rigging kept simple and convenient.

Her side decks are wide and uncluttered, thanks to inboard genoa tracks and narrow shroud base.

This allows easy and safe access forward to where an equally clear foredeck allows the crew to work at the ground tackle and headsails.

A below-deck windlass and deep, deck-accessible anchor chain locker make anchoring simple, as do the chunky twin bow rollers, which enable a second anchor to be deployed in bad weather.

The Dufour 425 GL has twin wheels, which open the cockpit up and, along with the wide, drop-down helm seat, allow excellent access through the transom gate and onto the boarding platform and folding ladder.

Reef at around 20 knots apparent for a more comfortable ride, though the Dufour 425 GL will stand up to more. Credit: Dufour Yachts

In the centre is a stout, twin-leaf table with grab bar, compass and instrument console.

In the three-cabin model both seat lockers are shallow, whereas with only two cabins one is full-depth and positively cavernous.

The liferaft even has its own dedicated locker.

All sheets, reefing lines and the kicker are led aft.

The genoa winches are immediately beside the helms, but the mainsheet terminates on the coachroof and can be annoying to use if you are single-handing in gusty conditions.

Rig & sails

Her rig is 15/16ths fractional, with twin swept spreaders, 135% furling genoa and a two-reef, semi-battened mainsail.

The cap shrouds and lowers terminate on a single chainplate each side, but this is massively reinforced below with sturdy backing fillets moulded into the hull sides.

The backstay is bifurcated with chainplates low on the transom and no quick adjustment possible.

The 425GL is spacious down below and headroom is a lofty 2m/6ft 6in.

The dinette, with linear galley, is the nautical equivalent of the popular domestic kitchen-diner.

Some love it, others loathe it, but in general it works well for a family cruising boat at anchor.

Cooking at sea can be precarious, but not impossible and the cook is aided by using the seatback as a bum rest.

An island berth makes the forecabin comfortable. Credit: P Contin

The galley is well equipped with plenty of stowage, though the fridge is small.

For long-term cruising, I would convert the bench seat into a fridge-freezer.

Worktop lighting is excellent.

There is an abundance of sturdy handholds all round, including a full length one above the galley.

The saloon seating comprises a large, U-shaped settee with thick, contoured cushions and an equally well-padded bench seat opposite.

Linear galley can make cooking under way tricky. Credit: P Contin

If the convertible saloon option was chosen, the table drops down to create an additional double berth.

There is good stowage under the cushions, except aft where the hot water tank sits, and more in cave lockers behind the seat backs.

There are also two good lockers above and a decent bookshelf with fiddle rail.

Ventilation is good, with plenty of opening ports and hatches keeping it bright and cheerful.

The large, forward-facing navigation station is great for those into full-size paper charts and wide-ranging below deck instrumentation.

Continues below…

The well balanced and responsive Dufour 30 Classic

Duncan Kent finds out you get plenty for your money in the 30ft coastal cruising market when he looks at…

A 33ft yacht sporting a large cockpit, twin helms, wet bar and grill, and down below she has nine berths…

Extra photographs from Yacxhting Monthly’s test of the Dufour 385

There’s ample console space, some of which is angled to allow a radar-chart plotter to be seen through the companionway, as well as a decent circuit breaker panel with voltmeter and tank gauge.

There is stowage in the seat and in the table support and another useful stowage bin alongside.

A choice between two or three cabins, and two or three heads was offered.

The 3/3 version was primarily for chartering and can feel cramped.

The 2/2 and 3/2 were more popular with cruisers, and with only two aft cabins there was more room for blue water kit and stowage for extra deck gear.

A full-sized chart table and plenty of space for instruments. Credit: P Contin

The forecabin is the largest cabin and has a large, comfy island berth, ample stowage, a small seat and a compact heads with a shower.

The aft cabin berths were equally generous, although head clearance above the berth was more limited.

Each had good clothes stowage, ample dressing area and two opening ports for cross ventilation.

The standard, naturally aspirated 40hp Volvo is easily accessed for maintenance, both via the companionway steps, which raise on a top hinge, and/or by removing the quarter panels in each of the aft cabins.

The 425’s limited wetted surfaces and lengthy waterline give her an impressive turn of speed both in light and heavy airs.

Thanks to her fine bows and plumb stem, she also slices through the chop, rather than slamming and dumping spray on the decks.

The Dufour 425 GL also has a deep, balanced rudder for maximum bite, but effortless helm, and for increased stability the bulk of her cast iron ballast is in a large bulb on the bottom of the hydrodynamically designed foil keel.

She is close-winded on a beat, keeping up momentum until just below 35° off the apparent wind.

A deep, balanced rudder provides stability and an effortless helm. Credit: JM Rieupeyrout/Dufour Yachts

Freeing off to a close reach nudges the log closer to 8 knots in 16-20 knots apparent, and she remains stiff, well-balanced and predictable even in strong gusts.

Off the wind, she flies with the right sails and is well capable of 8-9 knots with a full gennaker in 16-18 knots of true wind.

Swept spreaders do limit the boom angle, though, so gybing downwind is the safer option.

A comfortable point for the first reef is around 20 knots apparent, although she’ll hang on in there confidently up to 24 knots if you don’t mind risking your tea!

Under power, the engine is powerful enough to push this easily driven hull through a chop at a steady 6 knots cruising speed.

She handles well and bites quickly astern, although some will have had the optional bow thruster fitted for easy close-quarter manoeuvring in tight marinas.

Owners’ experiences

S/Y Olieta (2008)

Mike and Carol Perry bought Olieta in October 2019 and currently keep her in the UK, although they plan to move out to Greece soon.

She is a three-cabin two-heads model launched in 2008.

Asked how she has been so far, Mike said: ‘I have not had sufficient opportunity to sail her much just yet, but the construction appears to be of good quality. However, the previous owner had severely neglected her and much time has been spent on repairs and renewals. So far, I have had to fit new running and standing rigging, have the Webasto heater and the bilge pump rebuilt, fix a domestic water leak (filter fitted after the pump, strangely, causing it to jam with debris), remake all the electrical connections and fully service the sails and furling systems.

‘The windlass also disintegrated on first use,’ Mike added, ‘and the engine, with only 950 hours use, now requires a full overhaul of its fuel system.

Mike has found Olieta balanced and responsive on the water. Credit: Mike Perry

‘Our first big purchase was a bespoke cockpit enclosure. I have also fitted carpets and a new sprung mattress in the master cabin while we lived on her during the first lockdown.’

Mike started sailing 60 years ago in dinghies with his father.

He then spent the next 45 years racing dinghies throughout Europe, starting with National 12s and then graduating to trapezing asymmetrics.

For the past 20 years, he has cruised Greek waters, crewing for friends and family.

In the 2000s he had a share in a Beneteau 321 in the Ionian, before purchasing a Bavaria 38 in the same area in 2011.

Mike continued: ‘Carol, my wife, is my regular sailing partner (not crew, because she is more than that to me). We are often joined by family, including grandchildren and friends. We cruise the Ionian if our guests are less experienced and further afield for the more adventurous.

‘My reason for choosing Olieta is perhaps curious. Late in 2018, I came across a Dufour 425GL for sale and I was struck by her lines. Moving forward to May 2019, I was sailing in the Ionian and met up with sailing friends at a favourite mooring-restaurant. With them was Alan, the owner of a Dufour 425 GL. In conversation it transpired that Alan had also competed in National 12s in the 1970s and we must have competed against each other. He had gone on to be a professional sailmaker. So, if a professional sailmaker chose the Dufour 425 GL, that was a pretty good endorsement for me.

‘ Olieta is presently in the UK and was our home while we were between houses. Subject to circumstances, we will sail her out to Greece in 2021 or 2022. I have only properly sailed her on my delivery trip from Ipswich to Brighton, but I was extremely pleased with the performance, which was balanced and responsive.

‘So far Carol and I have only had one opportunity to take her out this summer and this was a long weekend to Chichester with no wind. We are both pleased with her but still need more time to adjust to her extra size. I was a little surprised at the amount of prop walk going astern, by comparison with our Bavaria, which had effectively the same saildrive. Having twin wheels makes access to the dockside so much easier, particularly when Med mooring, and allows Carol to see more easily from the helm.’

When asked if Olieta is comfortable to live on for extended periods, Mike exclaimed, ‘Very! We were liveaboards during the lockdown. She has a very similar layout to our Bavaria 38, but the additional space makes it so much more comfortable. Now that we are retired, we will be making an extended cruise in the next year or two. But before we depart, we shall be adding radar, AIS, solar charging and perhaps a wind generator.’

S/Y Cdream (2010)

Cdream is owned by Derek and Glynis Beaumont and kept on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

She has the three-cabin layout with two heads, plus reversible air conditioning throughout, LED lighting, carpets for the winter, a full bimini and Tek-Dek in the cockpit.

They have been sailing for 50 years, their previous boats being a Westerly Konsort and a Westerly Vulcan.

‘Under sail, the Dufour 425 performs extremely well and she is surprisingly fast,’ says Derek.

‘We sail mainly as a couple and find her easy to handle thanks to everything being controlled from the cockpit. Her only fault is she doesn’t like to reverse to starboard under power.

‘She is very comfortable living aboard and we also have the conversion for an extra double berth in the main saloon.’

What the experts say

Nick Vass, Marine Surveyor B,Sc B,Ed HND FRINA MCMS DipMarSur YS

www.omega-yachtservices.co.uk

The Dufour 425 GL’s beamy stern requires twin steering wheels, which might require attention in 20 years time, but Dufour deck hardware and steering gear is generic, well tested and no different to that found on twin-wheel Beneteau Oceanis and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey yachts.

Dufours are a joy to survey as everything is easily accessible.

They were designed with the charter market in mind, where access to steering gear, keel bolts, seacocks and engine is important.

Two problems that I encounter on the Dufour 425 GL are the toilet holding tank hoses, which can degrade and begin to perish, and some flexing on the deck.

Creaking decks are a bit of a feature on Dufours and not normally a problem, but check that the teak slats bonded onto the deck, cockpit seats and cockpit sole are not coming away as they will one day become a liability and are expensive to replace.

This problem, however, is common to all moderately priced cruising yachts.

The Volvo Penta diesel engine is excellent.

You might need to flush the coolant system and replace the exhaust elbow as they can clog up with limescale and salt.

Like most other modestly-priced and even high-priced yachts, Dufour fitted cheap and nasty nickel-plated brass seacocks.

Be prepared to replace them with plastic, DZR or bronze seacocks that are less susceptible to corrosion.

I have found fewer issues with keels and rudders on Dufours, compared to other reasonably priced yachts, and the hull stiffening around the keel is definitely better.

I consider the 1966 designed Arpège to be the grandmother of modern yachts.

It was such a departure from the narrow beamed GRP yachts of the time, many derived from the classic Folkboat lines, mostly wet boats with deep, long keels.

The beamy Arpège with her spacious, well-designed modern interior must have come as a shock as they were fast.

Stability was provided by beam buoyancy, not just by a heavy keel, and this trend prevails to this day with Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria and Dufour.

Dufour began as builders of fast mid-range cruisers and has kept that standing despite a few ups and downs.

Under the ownership of Olivier Poncin, Dufour bought Gib’Sea in 1998 and continued some of the Gib’Sea range under the Dufour name.

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, Marine Surveyor, member of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA)

Ben Sutcliffe- Davies has been in the marine industry for over 40 years as a long- time boat builder, has been surveying craft for over 20 years and is a Full Member of the YDSA.

www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk

The Dufour 425 Grand Large was a reasonably well put together vessel from Dufour.

Many went into the charter market, so I would recommend finding out the history of the boat before purchase as charter work adds years of wear and tear.

All of the wiring on the Dufour 425 GLs I’ve surveyed has been tin coated to American specifications which reduces corrosion.

The sail drive was a compact fit — check the service history.

Some manufacturers recommended that the main gasket rubber be replaced every five to seven years, others prefer seasonal checks.

Look out for corrosion, and for signs of water in the oil, especially if the boat was used commercially.

The working deck could have more grab rails and locations to clip on.

I surveyed one Dufour 425 GL where the saloon deck vent had become caught in the genoa sheet, which is believed to be a common issue if the vent is left open.

Lastly, if you do a lot of anchoring I recommend fitting a stem shield as the bow roller is quite upright.

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Sailboat Preview: Dufour 44

• By Andrew Parkinson
• April 2, 2024

Dufour Yachts has settled into a rhythm of late. Coming off launches of the Dufour 37, 41 and 61 in a little more than a year’s time, the French sailboat builder’s newest offering is a sturdy 44-foot model. According to Dufour, it was designed to be a game-changer in the midsize cruiser category. 

A collaboration between Felci Yacht Design and the Dufour design team, the Dufour 44 maintains the brand’s DNA of ­comfort, versatility, and seaworthiness. The hull design is optimized for speed and stability, whether cruising along ­coastal ­waters or embarking on offshore passages. 

Some new features are aimed at enhancing the overall sailing experience, including a hexagonal table in the salon. It’s a notable design element with seating for up to 10 people. This boat also has versatile layout options, called Adventure and Ocean versions, in three- and four-stateroom configurations. 

Owners can also choose a longitudinal galley or a forward galley. The longitudinal galley has a larger work surface, while interior designer Luca Ardizio penned a reimagined version of the traditional forward galley. The warm, light-filled salon layout prioritizes atmosphere and flow, with maximum space for ­entertaining, and more stowage than on previous models. 

The owner’s stateroom is forward, with an island berth and a separate head for privacy. 

“The approach we adopted was to create a soft design, playing with curves and experimenting with materials,” Ardizio says. “We opted for the abundant use of white to create a luminous atmosphere. We focused on creating a harmonious ambience by playing with light to enhance the space we were given. This meant making specific decor choices to enhance different areas of the boat.” 

On deck, the enlarged cockpit can seat at least six people, making it ideal for socializing and relaxation underway. The swim platform is enlarged, with a dual-access concept that’s intended to ease the guests’ transition between on-deck activities and relaxation. 

“The objective was to create a spacious outdoor living area, resulting in a proportionally larger cockpit compared with her predecessor of the same size,” says naval architect Umberto Felci. “Our focus was on integrating elements from the Dufour 470 and Dufour 530, emphasizing fluid communication in the cockpit, facilitating easy passage to the deck, and optimizing the overall length of the boat. We have taken successful elements from the Dufour 41 while introducing new features.”

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Electric boats

Electric boat, halevai looks to further electrify the marine segment with its american-made long-range boat.

Young electric boat maker Halevai is on the cusp of production of its flagship model, 2050, which promises some of the best range and power in a blossoming sustainable marine industry. This locally built recreational vessel was designed for safety and performance to provide customers with “the most technologically advanced on-board experience.”

Halevai is a concept boat manufacturer founded in 2020 that combines its expertise in engineering, design, and conservation to try and build the safest, renewable, and cost-efficient electric boats ever made.

For the last four years, Halevai has worked under the radar in research and development to achieve said goal, recruiting trusted partners in the industry, such as Hyper Craft, Mercury Marine , and Navico Group. By utilizing the powertrain and motor technology through scalable partnerships with those marine industry veterans, Halevai believes it can deliver an electric boat that offers the most power at the best price. Per its website:

The American marine landscape is vast and diverse. None of the work we are doing at Halevai is possible without the clear understanding that we must and we will protect the life support system of our planet. Whether we are in a mountain lake, an inlet, a bay or in the open ocean we are connected to the life force of this planet, our ocean. We have a responsibility to protect and communicate with each other and find new ways to boat more responsibly.

The culmination of this R&D is Halevai’s flagship vessel – the Model2050. This 24-foot recreational boat looks like an impressive start and will soon be available to customers looking to navigate waters without all those nasty carbon emissions.

Halevai Model2050 electric boat to begin production soon

Halevai recently launched the Model2050 as its first all-electric vessel available for sale. This 24-foot all-electric boat features a fiberglass-infused E-QXCFM 3515 hull, housing a 60 or 120-kWh marine-grade battery pack and room for ten passengers.

Combined with a Mercury Alpha 1 Gen 2 drivetrain creating 300 hp, Halevai’s Model2050 electric boat delivers a cruising speed of 25 mph and a top speed of 35+ mph, promising up to 50 nautical miles of range on a charge (standard pack). The vessel has a 6.6 kW onboard charger and an optional 30/40/50 amp charging station.

Other features include a customized 12-inch navigation screen, a high-power surround sound system, keyless startup, and three select drive modes.

Halevai recognizes that current boat-building practices need to be cleaner, circular, or sustainable but is committed to leading the movement. The Model2050 is equipped with 100% organic cork flooring, including its 26″ swim deck in the rear.

Halevai’s Model2050 electric boat will commence production this summer at its new White Bluff, Tennessee facility. 35 initial builds are slated for 2024, equating to one or two boats per week. The American-made vessels start at a base price of 185,000. Here’s a better look at the boat in action.

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Scooter Doll is a writer, designer and tech enthusiast born in Chicago and based on the West Coast. When he’s not offering the latest tech how tos or insights, he’s probably watching Chicago sports. Please send any tips or suggestions, or dog photos to him at [email protected]

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Second Load of Aid by Sea Bound for Gaza Departs Cyprus

World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by the chef José Andrés, said barges were carrying almost 400 tons of rice, pasta, flour, canned vegetables and proteins.

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By Gaya Gupta

• March 30, 2024

A second load of aid from the World Central Kitchen left Cyprus for Gaza on Saturday, an even bigger batch of badly needed food for Palestinians at imminent risk of famine.

A vessel, called the Jennifer, and other barges were carrying almost 400 tons of shelf-stable and ready-to-eat items like rice, pasta, flour, canned vegetables and proteins — double the amount delivered in the World Central Kitchen’s first shipment to Gaza in mid-March, the charity said in a statement. The United Arab Emirates also contributed a shipment of dates, which are often eaten to break one’s fast during Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim calendar. There is a little more than a week until Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic festival that celebrates the end of the holiday. This year it is expected to fall on or near April 9.

It was not clear when the second shipment would arrive, but the first vessel, called the Open Arms, took about four days to reach Gaza after leaving Cyprus. The Jennifer was also carrying two forklifts and a crane to offload cargo.

Delivering aid by sea is one of the latest international initiatives to stave off the threat of starvation in Gaza, where aid has been limited to tightly controlled border crossings.

When the first vessel arrived in Gaza, José Andrés, the Spanish American chef who founded the World Central Kitchen, said distribution efforts would start in northern Gaza, where violence and lawlessness has hindered food distribution efforts. Arriving at a newly built jetty on the coast, south of Gaza City, it was the first vessel authorized to deliver aid to Gaza in decades.

The United States has also announced a plan to build its own temporary floating pier to bring aid into Gaza, but it could take weeks to build.

A recent report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification global initiative, the global authority on famine and nutrition, found that the food shortages driven by the war were so severe that northern Gaza might reach a famine anytime in the coming months.

A famine is defined when an area meets three criteria: At least 20 percent of households have an extreme lack of food; at least 30 percent of children suffer from acute malnutrition; and at least two adults, or four children, for every 10,000 people die daily from starvation or from disease linked to malnutrition.

The process of getting aid into Gaza by land is long and convoluted, with trucks facing delays and difficulties at every stage of the distribution process. Roads ruined by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza make it difficult for trucks to traverse northern Gaza; aid agencies such as the World Food Program have suspended their deliveries there, citing security concerns.

The U.N. agency for Palestinians, known as UNRWA, says that Israel has prevented aid from entering at the necessary pace with its slow inspections. COGAT, the Israeli unit that supervises deliveries into Gaza, points the blame at the aid groups for not distributing aid fast enough.

Gaya Gupta is a reporting fellow on the Live team at The Times. More about Gaya Gupta

Our Coverage of the Israel-Hamas War

News and Analysis

Seven aid workers  with World Central Kitchen were killed when their convoy was hit by an Israeli strike in Gaza . Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel called the strike “a tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people.”

After the deadly strike on World Central Kitchen workers, other aid groups in Gaza said they were more concerned than ever about the safety of their staff members .

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to call for early elections to oust Netanyahu . Many of them believe he has put his political survival  ahead of the broader interests of the Israeli people.

Internal Roil at TikTok: TikTok has been dogged for months by accusations that its app has shown a disproportionate amount of pro-Palestinian and antisemitic content to users. Some of the same tensions  have also played out inside the company.

Palestinian Detainees: Israel has imprisoned more than 9,000 Palestinians suspected of militant activity . Rights groups say that some have been abused or held without charges.

A Hostage’s Account: Amit Soussana, an Israeli lawyer, is the first former hostage to speak publicly about being sexually assaulted  during captivity in Gaza.

A Power Vacuum: Since the start of the war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has done little to address the power vacuum that would appear after Israeli forces leave Gaza. The risks of inaction are already apparent in Gaza City .

Dufour 37 sailboat

The dufour 37 is the only yacht in her size range to offer so many living spaces on board..

The hull of the Dufour 37 , like her big sistershi p the Dufour 470 , is built usin g the infusion process for correctly controlled weight, greater strength and respect for the environment.

Thanks to optimised volumes and a bow designed for greater volume forward, the Dufour 37 offers a very spacious owner’s cabin at the front, with excellent headroom.

Whether the three-cabin or two-cabin version with its large bathroom, the interior of this model is bathed in light thanks to the large central hull windows.

The Dufour DNA

All the Dufour DNA has been retained: enjoy large outdoor living spaces.

The Dufour 37 benefits from the major innovations that made the Dufour 470 such a success: the bowsprit platform, the large deck hatches and hull windows, and the layout of all the outdoor space that makes it easy to move around on deck. You’ll also enjoy a bigger cockpit than on other yachts of this size.

Aboard this new model, as on all the latest models in the range, the emphasis has been placed on outdoor living.

IMPROVED MARINE PERFORMANCE IN ALL CONDITIONS

As for the seakindliness of this yacht, she benefits from a modern and stable hull as you’d see on offshore racing boats, but with a slightly rounded lower hull that favours her passage through the water, while reducing the sound inside the yacht.

This new hull form allows for a greater power/weight ratio for this boat that measures 10.8 metres overall: the feel at the helm is improved and offers more pleasure to the helmsman whatever point of sail you are on.

On this new model, and particularly in comparison with other models in her size category, the mast has been lengthened to give increased sail area and make this yacht even more powerful.

The Dufour 37, like her predecessor the Dufour 360, has a single rudder and twin steering wheels.  Thanks to having just one rudder, you’ll enjoy greater responsiveness and liveliness as you are under way.

A SPACIOUS AND WELL THOUGHT OUT INTERIOR

For the interior, there are two layouts available depending on your sailing programme.

In the two-cabin version, you can enjoy a very large bathroom (and a large exterior storage locker), as well as two independent cabins, including the owner’s suite at the front. Six berths are possible thanks to the saloon table which can be transformed into a berth.

In the three-cabin version of the Dufour 37, up to eight guests can be accommodated.

In both layouts, you’ll find a forward owner’s cabin whose size and comfort is rarely found on a yacht of this length.

The hull windows and the headroom have been enlarged to bring even more light into the convivial living space of the saloon.

This area intelligently houses the galley, the saloon and the dining area, with the two-cabin version also including a small desk that can be used as a chart table.

DOUBLE COMFORT: ON BOARD AND AT THE HELM

Whether you’re coastal sailing or with your family, racing with friends, or cruising around the world (this model is in Category A), the Dufour 37 will meet all your expectations.

As with the latest Dufour models, this new model is over-equipped with features: the plancha grill, found on the aft deck, is an essential feature on the latest Dufour models; fully inflatable cockpit upholstery and a forward sunbathing area complete the exterior layout of this new model.

The Dufour 37 will accompany you on your wonderful cruising.

Virtual Tour 360°

Technical specs

Construction

• Architect: Felci Yacht Design
• Hull construction: Infusion
• Deck construction: Injection

Technical specifications

• Overall length 10.77 m (incl. bowsprit)
• Waterline length 9.31
• Hull length 9.99
• Max beam 3.8
• Light displacement 6 747 kg
• Draft 1.90 m
• Keel weight 1 860 kg
• Fuel tank capacity 160 L
• Water tank capacity 180 L
• Engine power 18.8 hp
• Sail area 60 m²
• Mainsail 33 m²
• Genoa 25.9 m²

Are you interested in the Dufour 37 sailboat?

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Freighter pilot called for tugboat help before plowing into Baltimore bridge

INTERVIEWING SURVIVORS

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Reporting by Gabriella Borter in Baltimore; Additional reporting by Rami Ayyub, Nandita Bose, Doina Chiacu, Ted Hesson, Katharine Jackson, Mike Segar, David Shephardson; Writing by Steve Gorman and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Howard Goller, Josie Kao and Stephen Coates

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Gabriella Borter is a reporter on the U.S. National Affairs team, covering cultural and political issues as well as breaking news. She has won two Front Page Awards from the Newswomen’s Club of New York - in 2020 for her beat reporting on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2019 for her spot story on the firing of the police officer who killed Eric Garner. The latter was also a Deadline Club Awards finalist. She holds a B.A. in English from Yale University and joined Reuters in 2017.

North Korea says it test-fired new solid-fuel hypersonic missile

North Korea said on Wednesday it successfully test-fired a new mid- to long-range solid-fuel hypersonic missile, North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun said.

A book from Egypt that was written at the dawn of Christianity and is considered one of the oldest books in existence will go up for auction in June in London.

British police on Tuesday said three suspects believed to be involved in the stabbing of a journalist working for a Persian language media organisation in London last week left the country within hours of the attack.

Russian air defence units downed four Ukrainian drones late on Tuesday over the border region of Kursk and one more over the adjacent Belgorod region, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Telegram.