Dufour 54 — A 54ft Monohull with Massive Volume

Tankage and berthing logistics are notable: the Dufour 54 carries 450 litres of diesel and the same capacity for water as standard, with an optional extra 250 litres of water for longer ranges. The hull beam of 5.25m is carried fully aft, affecting marina finger berth compatibility and requiring a berth depth that accommodates a 2.0m or optional 2.4m draught. Propulsion choices include an 80hp Yanmar saildrive (100hp upgrade available) and the ODSea+ electric package from Joule and Fountaine Pajot for operators looking to reduce bunkering logistics and shore-power dependence.

Hull concept and volumetrics

The Dufour 54’s roominess stems from a modern take on the scow-influenced bow and wide aft sections. Designers adopted fuller forward sections to lift the bow when running and to generate form stability, while keeping the underwater lines comparatively fine for upwind performance. Umberto Felci’s recent Dufour designs push volume forward intentionally, and the end result is a yacht that measures large in internal feel compared with older 54ft monohulls.

Brief design lineage

Scow-like bows have a long history — from Dutch schouws to US lake skimming-dish craft — and were resurrected in offshore racing by designers such as David Raison (Teamwork Evolution). That evolution carried into cruising yachts where increased internal volume becomes a selling point without entirely sacrificing seakeeping.

On deck: ergonomics and practicalities

Deck layout marries lounging with functional cruising. A flip-top aft bench reveals a plancha grill and sink, plus liferaft stowage positioned for quick deployment. Twin helms, wide side-deck access and rope bins in the cockpit steps keep sail-handling tidy. Optional extras like a solid hardtop with integrated dinghy davit simplify tender operations and provide a neat footprint for charter operations or owner-cruisers who like a low-maintenance cockpit.

On-deck highlights

• Plancha and aft sink built into the bathing platform
• Twin cockpit tables that convert to sunbeds with infill cushions
• Concealed rope and winch layouts for tidy decks
• Optional hardtop with skylights and dinghy davit

Down below: layouts and livability

Interior design by Luca Ardizio leans into natural light: long portlights and multiple skylights make the saloon feel expansive. The Dufour 54 is offered in three, four or five-cabin configurations, with optional skipper’s cabin forward. On the three-cabin layout the galley sits forward and athwartships; the saloon benefits from a large U-shaped settee and a convertible table that becomes a double berth or a substantial dining surface.

Interior options

• 3, 4 or 5-cabin versions
• Skipper’s cabin in the bow
• Office/remote-work area as an alternative to a head
• Large owner stateroom options: athwartships or fore-and-aft

The owner’s stateroom is a standout: in some layouts it occupies the full bow volume and can be arranged as an athwartships double or split into two doubles for charter flexibility. Headroom and natural light are substantial throughout, with practical galley storage (fridge/freezer combo, dishwasher) and a minibar/wine cooler optional on the starboard side.

Under sail: handling and performance

During a trial off Marseille in winds of 11–20 knots and a short chop, the Dufour 54 demonstrated notable grip and control. Running with a full main and Code 0 produced speeds around 9+ knots on a beamy reach; reefing and headsail combinations kept handling predictable. The fuller forward sections did not induce excessive slamming in the conditions tested — the hull shrugged off chop with composure. As with many fuller-bowed yachts, best performance upwind comes from not trying to pin the nose too hard: easing an angle slightly often delivers speed and control — a little trick that pays dividends on passage.

Performance notes

• Comfortable cruising speeds in 12–18kt winds
• 9.8kt peak speed recorded on a reach in test conditions
• Single rudder with good feel; bow thruster aids tight manoeuvres

Key specs

Options that matter for charter and owners

• ODSea+ electric propulsion package (Joule/Fountaine Pajot)
• Hardtop with dinghy davit
• Five-cabin layout for high-capacity charter use

In short, the Dufour 54 is designed to feel larger than its length suggests: generous tankage and beam make logistical sense for blue-water cruising and for operators considering the boat for charter fleets. The combination of voluminous interiors, practical deck features and sensible performance means this yacht can serve as both a comfortable owner-cruiser and a competitive charter platform. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, or to slot a 54ft cruiser into busy marinas, this design is one to consider — an honest big-boat package that’s more spacious than you might expect.

Summary: The Dufour 54 delivers class-leading internal volume with practical tankage and options for electric propulsion, solid on-deck ergonomics and multiple layouts for charter or private use. For anyone thinking about yacht charter, boat rent offerings, owner-cruising, or a sale to a small fleet, the Dufour 54’s mix of space, sailing performance and sensible systems means it will appeal to destinations from sheltered lake trips to ocean passages. In short: big on space, ready for yachting activities, and a tidy fit for marinas, gulf cruising, bluewater passages, and rental fleets — perfect for sunseeker days, fishing stops, or clearwater beach drops with a captain on board.