Super, smashing, great

How do you stand out in one of the most competitive sectors of boat building? Sam Jefferson steps aboard the Dufour 390 to find out

- Sam Jefferson

I’m going to get political here and say that Dufour Yachts has always reminded me slightly of the Liberal Democrats. Nothing to do with wanting to leave or remain, it’s just that they are somehow polite, inoffensive... but at the same time striving to be a little bit different from what are perceived as ‘bigger’ rivals, such as Hanse, Bavaria, Beneteau and Jeanneau. This is no bad thing, as mainstream production cruising yachts can get a bit unremitting and repetitive, so it’s good to do something to make your product stand out from the crowd. To this end, Dufour has committed the ultimate no-no as a French designer and perversely worked with an Italian designer, Umberto Felci. This, again, is no bad thing, as Felci knows how to draw up a nice yacht – but it’s still a bit odd. Secondly, Dufour insists on calling half of its range Grand Large, which either means ‘big, big’ or, if you are from Yorkshire, ‘very good, big’. Sort of a bit like ‘super, smashing, great’. Did the late, great Jim Bowen help with the marketing? I’ve always wondered if there is an alternative line, the Petit Small, but have found no evidence.