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Dufour 56
Designer: P. Harle/A. Mortain  ·  Builder: Dufour  ·  First built: 1994
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About the Dufour 56

Launched in 1994, this impressive 56-footer represents Dufour's commitment to creating serious offshore cruising yachts that blend French elegance with robust seaworthiness. Designed by the accomplished team of Philippe Harlé and Alain Mortain, the Dufour 56 showcases the refined aesthetic and thoughtful engineering that became hallmarks of mid-1990s European yacht design. With her substantial 38,500-pound displacement and generous beam of nearly 16 feet, this masthead sloop offers the stability and interior volume that discerning cruisers demand for extended passages. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling while maintaining the directional stability essential for offshore work. Her impressive comfort ratio of 27.28 indicates exceptional motion characteristics in seaways, making her particularly well-suited for long-distance cruising where crew comfort becomes paramount. The hull's fiberglass construction follows proven methods that prioritize durability over weight savings, reflecting the era's philosophy of building boats to last decades. Her theoretical hull speed of nearly 10 knots suggests respectable passage-making ability, while the substantial 100-horsepower engine provides reliable auxiliary power for challenging conditions or tight marina maneuvering.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 56.00 ft / 17.07 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 54.75 ft / 16.69 m
Beam 15.83 ft / 4.82 m
Max Draft 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Displacement 38,500.00 lb / 17,463 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer P. Harle/A. Mortain
Builder Dufour
First Built 1994
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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 104.73
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 27.28
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.88
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 9.92 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 3,096.79 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 100
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