Dufour 405 Grand’ Large Boat Review

The hand-laminated fiberglass construction of the 405 is straightforward and time-tested, and it incorporates NPG gelcoat and resin for osmosis protection as well as a separate, internal grid laminated to the hull for structural integrity. A balsa core is employed in the infused polyester deck sandwich; the keel is cast iron bolted to a stainless-steel backing plate. The semi-elliptical rudder is fashioned from closed-cell foam and epoxy and is hung off a solid, stainless-steel post.

Down below, there are three accommodations plans from which to choose, all of which have a large owner’s cabin forward with a separate, attached head; a main saloon centered on a large, U-shaped settee and adjacent dining table; and a second head just aft of the settee. In all of the 405s, joinery work is mostly finished in maobi with other complementary hardwoods, which makes for a very handsome and inviting interior space. With seven deck hatches (with integrated “mushroom” vents) and a quartet of opening portlights, ventilation below is very good.

We inspected the model with the galley aft to starboard, just abaft a rather ingenious navigation station flanked by twin chairs, opposite the dining area. In no time flat, the table can be stashed away, a cushion can be inserted, and the seats transformed into one long settee. In this very versatile arrangement, a large and useful storage cabin is aft and to starboard (it can also be reached through the cockpit locker, and it has plenty of handy shelves), with a second double cabin aft to port.

Optionally, one can also specify a straight-line galley, to port or starboard, opposing the settee and dining area. In this layout, the more conventional nav station is aft of the galley, and the storage cabin is transformed into a second double berth.

Whichever way you go, there are lots of useful and thoughtful touches throughout. In the galley, for example, the cook will enjoy the spacious Corian counters, the large refrigerator that can be accessed via a small front door or a large, top-loading hatch, and the oodles of drawers and storage, including the dedicated “wine cellar.”

Wine cellar?

Well, we did mention that this was a good French boat. And French sailors, naturally, have their priorités firmly in order.

LOA    39’ 9”    (12.1 m.)
LWL    39’ 0”    (11.9 m.)
Beam    13’ 0”    (3.9 m.)
Draft (shoal)    5’ 7”    (1.7 m.)
 (deep)    6’ 6”    (2.0 m.)
Sail Area    881 sq. ft.    (81.9 sq. m.)
Ballast    5,150 lb.     (2,336 kg.)
Displacement     19,819 lb.     (8,990 kg.)
Ballast/D    .26
D/L    208
SA/D    19.2
Water     100 gal.     (380 l.)
Fuel    53 gal.     (200 l.)
Holding    24 gal.    (90.8 l.)
Mast Height    55’ 7”     (16.9 m.)
Engine    40-hp. diesel
Designers    Umberto Felci and Patrick Roséo
Sailaway Price     $249,000
Dufour Yachts
(352) 871-0362
www.dufour-yachts.com

Herb McCormick is CW’s senior editor.