470 sailboat review

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Dufour 470 review: Bags of space below

• May 17, 2021

Dufour believes the design of performance yachts and mainstream cruisers has converged so much that its Dufour 470 can replace its two previous ranges. Rupert Holmes puts the new yacht to the test

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

Yacht design has made enormous strides in the past decade: the best of today’s new boats are safer, easier to handle, faster and a lot more spacious than older models and the Dufour 470, for the most part, proves these developments.

After David Raison won the 2011 Mini Transat in a scow-bowed Mini 650 of his own design there was excitement as to what this step-change in design thinking could mean for cruising yachts of the future.

Much of that discussion was focussed on the additional volume that would be available for forecabins. However, arguably the most important benefits of the new shapes being incorporated in cruising yacht design are improvements to handling characteristics, including a reduction in heel that improves comfort at sea.

The extra form stability that helped Raison to his Mini Transat victory is therefore also hugely beneficial to cruisers. While we haven’t moved to scow-bow production cruising yachts, in the past few years forward sections have become far more voluminous than ever before and overall beam continues to increase.

The full bow sections above the waterline help increase form stability, reducing heel angles. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

The first time you sail a recent, very high stability design is often a revelation and the Dufour 470 certainly doesn’t disappoint in this respect. An increase in wind strength that’ll see older yachts scrambling to reef often requires nothing more than a minor depower using the traveller, or by twisting off the top of the mainsail.

Our test took place from La Rochelle on a glorious mid February day with a warm southerly breeze.

I tried to press the boat hard, including carrying the Code 0 in 18 knots of true breeze with the apparent wind well forward of the beam, yet it proved extremely stiff, with a reassuringly solid feel. It was simply impossible to lean the boat over onto its ear.

A boat that heels less, demands fewer sail handling manoeuvres, and doesn’t induce panic in gusts automatically ticks many of the requirements of a great cruising yacht. Given that more sail can be carried comfortably such a boat can also put in faster passage times.

Much of this is down to the ability to maintain pace in lulls, without having to worry about carrying too much sail in gusts, which can have a big impact on average speeds. In these respects the Dufour 470 also shares qualities with some of the best of today’s racing designs that can be pushed exceptionally hard without reaching the edge of control.

Dufour 470: A variety package

A key difference between this design and a raceboat, of course, is in the deck hardware. However, Dufour has gone a stage further than its competitors in offering three different packages for different types of buyer.

These three options in one hull shape replace the two previous ranges, the Grand Large and Performance lines which Dufour has offered for the previous two decades.

The pared down ‘Easy’ specification is primarily aimed at the charter market, with all sail handling, including the German mainsheet system, carried out at a pair of winches located outboard just ahead of the two helm stations. This leaves the forward part of the cockpit entirely free for those who don’t want to participate in the action.

Wide transom provides plenty of swim platform space. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Performance package, which includes a cockpit mounted traveller, slightly taller rig and upgraded deck hardware.

Dufour expects most private owners to opt for the third ‘Ocean’ alternative. This has halyards, reefing lines and the controls for the coachroof-mounted mainsheet traveller handled at the companionway, with the rest taken to a pair of winches aft near the helm stations.

This is how our test boat was equipped, with the added benefit of optional electric power to the four sheet winches and one coachroof winch.

It’s an arrangement that works reasonably well, but is not perfect. Trimming the mainsail, for instance, may require adjustments to the sheet to be made aft and at the traveller at the companionway.

In addition, the outboard position of the sheet winches makes them more difficult to use than if they were mounted on a pedestal inboard. This is especially the case on the lee side when the boat is heeled.

Decent bins for the tails of the sheets handled aft are built into the steps (which also make it easy to move from cockpit to side deck). However, our test boat had no provision for stowing rope tails near the companionway and the otherwise neat double door arrangement in place of washboards reduces options for locating rope bags.

The swim platform deployed. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

Unlike most designs with very wide sterns and chined hulls, the Dufour 470 only has a single rudder.

I’ve been a big fan of twin-rudder boats since first sailing one almost 25 years ago – the impressive control they provide when you’re caught with too much sail up is a massive benefit. I therefore worried that I’d find the Dufour 470 compromised in this respect, but happily my concerns were unwarranted.

The Dufour 470 rudder is positioned well forward, where it operates clear of the disturbed water near the transom and lifts only minimally out of the water as the angle of heel increases.

This of course is not a new concept – Farr did it with the Farr 45 back in the mid 1990s, and Fast 40s and TP52s adopt the same philosophy – but it’s by no means universally implemented on single rudder cruising yachts in an effective manner.

In addition, the Dufour 470’s extra beam and volume in the forward sections of the hull creates a more balanced immersed shape when the boat is heeled than earlier broad transom designs.

Sprayhood windows can be unzipped to increase ventilation. Rupert Holmes

This has a number of benefits: it reduces the tendency for weather helm to build rapidly when heeled and there’s less tendency for the bow to dip and the stern to rise as the boat heels, so more of the rudder stays in the water. And, of course, the high stability that means heel angles are reduced, which also helps a single rudder to maintain grip.

The helm never felt heavy, nor was there any indication that the rudder was anywhere near close to losing grip. Even when fully powered up at hull speed on a reach, and pushing big bow and stern waves, the boat could be made to bear away without easing sheets.

Geared to light airs

However, there’s one inescapable aspect that means this yacht will never be a true performance design – the hefty displacement.

Granted, Dufour has done much to keep this weight down, including vacuum infusion construction that saves 600kg, but it’s still almost two tonnes heavier than the Sun Odyssey 490 and 2.5 tonnes more than the Oceanis 46.1.

This will be of little concern for most owners. Surfing down waves is fun, but when cruising a boat this size there’s rarely an imperative to push for double-digit speeds.

On the other hand, good light airs performance is important, as more time spent sailing and less time motoring improves the experience for all on board.

Promoting light air performance over surfing in strong winds is clearly an integral part of the concept and Umberto Felci has drawn enough rocker into the hull shape to lift the wide back end out of the water, thereby reducing wetted surface area.

The Dufour 470 will appeal to anyone who values plenty of space below. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

Equally, the broad sections forward flare out around 30cm above the static waterline, thus minimising wetted surface area until the boat starts to heel. Then the extra form stability kicks in and ramps up quickly as heel angles increase.

The helm stations are positioned well outboard, which works well whether standing or sat securely either on the side deck or aft of the wheels. However, I’d have liked to see the option for engine and thruster controls, as well as MFDs, replicated on both sides of the boat.

A neat touch is the optional two-section bimini, which allows the helmsman to see the rig and provides unobstructed headroom when using the easy step provided just ahead of the wheels for accessing the side deck.

Upwind in 12-14 knots of true wind our test boat was not as easy to settle into the groove as a thoroughbred performance design. Nevertheless we made good speed at around 7 knots and 50-55° to the true wind. Any tighter than this reduced feel and saw a tangible drop in speed.

With a bit more breeze allowing for flatter sail trim we’d have been able to point higher.

In lighter airs the optional taller rig would be beneficial for sailing to windward, although the performance bonus would quickly become marginal once borne away far enough to use the Code 0.

Below 20 knots of true wind this is clearly a boat that will make its best downwind VMG sailing at angles, rather than on a dead run. I found a quartering sea tends to move the aft end around more than might be expected, although a leftover Atlantic swell didn’t help and in any case it didn’t take long to get the measure of the boat and keep an efficient, comfortable straight course.

Entertaining

Both helm seats lift up to give access to the big fold-down bathing platform, which also gives access to the liferaft stowage. Our Dufour 470 was fitted with Dufour’s trademark outdoor galley and barbecue, which is used with the bathing platform folded down. It’s an obvious option for anyone who expects to spend evenings at anchor.

Spacious saloon of the three cabin version. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

The lazarette gives access to the quadrant and pilot ram. On our test boat it also housed the optional genset and aircon unit. This constricts practical stowage in the cockpit, although the foredeck has the usual deep sail locker.

An optional small sunbed above the lazarette access therefore supplements the shallow starboard cockpit locker, although it gets in the way when moving from one helm station to the other.

The forward part of the cockpit provides plenty of space for relaxation, even allowing for the lines handled at the companionway, and four people can comfortably sit around one leaf of the table, allowing a clear passage on the other side.

Praising the extra space and natural light in the accommodation of a new design of yacht risks being clichéd, yet every generation continues to improve in this respect.

Our test boat has what Dufour expects to be the most popular arrangement for private owners – a three-cabin layout with two heads and a full width galley at the front of the saloon. This gives a wonderfully bright and open arrangement that will clearly impress potential buyers at boat shows, which has long been an important factor in this part of the market.

Owner’s cabin forward features an impressively large double. Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

It also offers very impressive forward galley space, including extensive worktops, twin deep sinks and a capacious two-drawer Isotherm fridge. Options fitted to our test boat included a pull-out coffee maker and microwave, though it wasn’t equipped with the small format dishwasher, or freezer.

Four cabin and three-head boats have the saloon to port and a smaller L-shape galley to starboard.

A big and bright owner’s cabin has a bed of a size that would put many hotels to shame, plus enough stowage to swallow many bags of clothes and provision to keep smaller items to hand. The separate toilet and shower compartments are well appointed and of a good size.

Both quarter cabins have decent ventilation, plus a large hull window and a glazed panel in the aft face of the coachroof. In the three-cabin boat the starboard one is slightly larger, but shrinks in the four-cabin version to allow space for a Pullman-style cabin with bunk beds ahead of it.

An increasing number of owners need to be able to work from on board their boats, so Dufour is working on an option for a flexible solution that would replace the short settee and stowage on the port side of the saloon with an arrangement that incorporates many of the features provided by business class aircraft seats.

Dufour has also worked to improve the build quality of Dufour 470, particularly with regard to the stiffness of the structure, which has a knock-on benefit in minimising creaks from furniture when the boat flexes as it passes over waves.

To increase structural stiffness there’s a composite girder running around the inner edge of the side decks and the midships bulkhead aft of the galley is firmly bonded to the hull.

Our test boat was the first to leave the factory and was fitted with almost everything on the options list and therefore had a much higher specification than most owners would choose, hence the high ‘as tested’ price. A typical on the water price for a private owner is likely to be around €325,000 ex VAT.

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For many the choice of boat in this part of the market is based primarily on interior accommodation and the Dufour 470 excels in this respect. It should clearly be on the shortlist for anyone who needs this much space. Against that, it’s not the most rewarding boat of this size to sail and the cockpit layout could make sail handling easier. It therefore may not satisfy all the criteria for those seeking a thoroughbred performance yacht. Nevertheless, the vice-free handling and high stability that makes for comfortable, relaxed and safe cruising are important points in the boat’s favour. And once you start looking at comparison boats the Dufour 470 appears tremendously good value for money – providing you can resist ticking too many boxes on the options list.

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• Sailboat Reviews

Catalina 470

Although it conforms to ce ratings for ocean sailing, this boat is better suited for coastal cruising in comfort and short offshore passages. it's got a great set of layout options for living aboard..

We’ve been soaked to the bone while racing Catalina’s most popular model, a 27-footer on which we crewed in a San Francisco one-design fleet. We’ve raced down the Baja coast steering a squirrelly 38-footer under a masthead kite while winning class honors in the Newport-Ensenada race. Over the years, we’ve sailed and reviewed quite a few Catalinas, and have noted two central characteristics of these boats: They have a pretty good turn of speed and spacious accommodations. We’ve also noted that the company’s mass production techniques occasionally reflect a lack of attention to detail in the fit and finish of joinery.

It has also been impossible to miss the fact that Catalina owners are a ferociously loyal lot who tend to shrug off minor shortcomings by saying “Hey, it ain’t supposed to be a Rolls Royce.”

With the introduction of the Catalina 470 in 1998, the company announced an effort to upgrade the quality of the fit and finish without changing its pricing practices. It also added a legitimate performance cruiser to dealer showrooms. More than 200 of these boats have been delivered already. That’s an amazing production run for a boat of this size in an economy this wobbly. Price-wise, Catalina can keep competing when other, higher-end boatbuilders are startting to duck and cover.

Company History Frank Butler, who founded Catalina Yachts 30 years ago, has always contended that his boats provide owners with good value, and this is true. The company’s product line spans the sailing universe; it offers boats ranging in size from the Capri 22, a daysailor, to the 47-footer described here.

Mindful of the occasional barb about quality control, Gerry Douglas, Catalina’s vice president, chief engineer, and Butler’s right-hand man for two decades, says, “Our owners don’t mind adding that extra layer of varnish. They’re very hands-on, and like to tinker on their boats. I like to think that we’ve given them a stable platform on which they can safely sail anywhere at an affordable price.”

While conducting an inspection and test sail of the 470, Douglas said, “We’ve gone up a notch with this boat, and introduced features that we’ll begin adding to all of our boats 38 feet and longer. There’s also a higher level of sophistication in systems, construction, and finish.

“We designed the boat to appeal to fairly experienced sailors who are comparison shoppers. For many, this will be a crossover boat—for people moving up from 40-footers, and people switching to Catalina from other brands. The typical buyers are 55 to 60 years old, perhaps semi-retired. They want performance, to cruise under sail, not power. They have a wish list with regard to accommodations. Systems are very important.”

Design/Appearance Overall, the hull is nicely proportioned, with a nearly flat sheer that runs to the down-curved stern sections. The 14-foot beam is moderate for a modern 47-footer, and runs well aft, almost to the transom area. This adds some initial stability as well as interior volume aft. The straight sheerline works well with the house, which carries long, narrow ports to produce an illusion of movement. Though she carries huge interior volume, she does not appear clunky.

According to Gerry Douglas, the hull is easily driven with the moderate sailplan, and doesn’t pound in a seaway. We weren’t able to sail her in lumpy enough conditions to confirm that, but she did behave well during our test sail.

Underbody appendages are a 7’10” fin keel or optional shoal draft keel with winglets 30 percent aft of the leading edge. Rudder and keel are elliptically shaped.

“A cockpit should be long enough to sleep in,” says Douglas. As a consequence, seats in the 470 cockpit are 6’2″ inches long, with 11″ backrests. The 39″ long cockpit table seats four, and has a built-in storage bin and molded cup holders.

Unlike any other arrangement we’ve seen, the electrical system for shore power is split between three separate connectors. According to Douglas, this is “so that owners can use smaller cords than those heavy, unwieldy brutes.”

Deck Layout The deck layout is designed for couples who prefer to sail alone without having to maintain a physical fitness routine in order to manage the 1,010 square feet of canvas she flies. Most boats are equipped with furling mainsail systems and oversized electric winches for halyards and mainsail controls. “I don’t think we can have too large a winch,” Douglas says.

Add the Dutchman sail flaking system that comes as standard equipment, and the boat could even be singlehanded in a pinch.

The layout of deck gear is typical of the today’s production boats and the fact that older sailors don’t want to work forward of the cockpit in unruly seas. Internal halyards and sail controls are led aft to Harken 44 two- speed winches and Lewmar rope clutches. Primary winches are Harken 66 two-speed self-tailers.

Catalina continues to rely on Garhauer to provide most of the boat’s blocks, as well as a stainless steel vang. The roller furler is a Schaefer 3100. Standard equipment also includes a Maxwell 1200 windlass.

In addition to contributing to the boat’s appearance, ten Lewmar ports, including two in the cockpit, allow light and fresh air to penetrate spaces belowdecks. Deck hatches are Lewmar low-profile Ocean series.

Despite the boat’s size, and potential use on blue water, the double- spreader rig is stepped on deck. To avoid damaging the deck coring, it sits atop a 1/2″ thick aluminum plate welded to the top of a 5-1/2″ inch diameter compression post. “It’s all metal to metal,” Douglas says.

It’s true that there are plenty of boats with deck-stepped masts sailing successfully offshore, including the Hallberg-Rassy 42, which we reviewed in May of this year. Every time we say we prefer keel-stepped masts for offshore work, we get angry letters—not from the boatbuilders, but from readers who have deck-stepped masts. So be it. We believe keel-stepped masts are ultimately safer, even if they’re noiser, leakier, and more obtrusive belowdecks. Offshore, if something fails, they’re less likely to topple over wholesale—the “buried root” tends to preserve them—and if they do break, they usually leave something sticking through the deck to which a jury rig can be attached. As we noted in the HR42 review, the butt of a keel-stepped mast needs to be secured to the step.

From the standpoint of comfort and safety, handrails recessed below the cabintop prevent bruised legs when the crew is seated without impairing their ability to find a handhold. Three pre-molded indexes under the boom are designed to house an eight-person life raft in a handy, out of the way location. Stanchions are 29″ high, and shroud bases are set in close to the cabintop, which allows close sheeting angles and makes travel between cockpit and foredeck easier.

On boats this size, Douglas considers redundancy in major systems a key element of the design. As a result, the two-wheel steering system is a product of a collaboration between Catalina and Edson. “The entire system is redundant,” says Douglas. ” There are no shared cables or wheels. Each steering wheel has a separate cable system, so if one is lost the other will still function.”

Accommodations Though there’s nothing earthshaking about the general design of spaces belowdecks, the 14-foot beam produces 11 feet of room amidships, continuing Catalina’s tradition of maximizing living spaces.

Improvements in the quality of the interior are subtle. Multiple layers of smooth satin varnish are hand-laid on wood surfaces. The edges of cabinetry, doors and corners, where wear or abrasion may be noticeable, are made of solid teak to prevent blemishes. Lockers and cabinets are fitted with lights that automatically turn on when doors open. Since Catalina now builds cushions in-house, berths are supplied with 7″ thick residential-grade mattresses with powder-coated springs that prevent rust marks on bedding. All of the cabinetry hardware is provided by one company, so replacement of damaged equipment is a small task.

Owners can select stateroom layouts from three optional configurations. In the standard two-stateroom configuration, the forward cabin houses a Pullman berth and shower compartment in an area large enough to house a washer and dryer combination. Aft is a queen-sized bunk on an island. As an alternative, layout No. 2 splits the aft section of the boat into two cabins, each with its own head compartment. An island berth in the forward cabin is an option in this configuration. The third layout offers the option to remove cabinetry from the port stateroom to convert the space into an enclosed workshop. Nice idea!

Headroom in the saloon is 7′ 4″, and length on the centerline approximately 11′ 6″. Seven ports on each side of the hull, and 11 Halogen lights in the saloon and galley, produce a bright space, even on foggy day.

Seven companionway steps cover the engine. Since the cover is a bulky fiberglass box with an aluminum frame, the addition of a gas piston spring that holds the section upright is a helpful addition. Once that’s elevated, access to the sides and front of the Yanmar engine, fuel and water filters, is excellent.

“To prevent contamination, and monitor consumption, boats are equipped with two separate fuel systems and five water tanks,” says Douglas. “If one goes bad, no more than 20 percent of the supply will be lost. There are two independent waste systems. Tanks, hoses, and through-hulls operate independently.”

Though the boat is not intended for use in a charter fleet, tanks are thick enough to meet charter regulations. “We did that because it would be more difficult to change in the future.”

Creature comforts in the main cabin include a C-shaped settee with seating for six to eight adults around a highly polished table. Stowage below the settee is in a watertight compartment, eliminating the risk of bilge water penetrating stores.

Depending upon owner preference, seating to starboard may be on a 6′ 6″ bench with space below for 50 gallons of fuel, or on two upholstered swiveling chairs.

On a boat of this size, there should be plenty of room for the navigator, and Catalina does a good job in this regard. The 470 is equipped with a proper chart-sized table and room for electronics. Forward of the nav table there’s a slide-out table for a TV/VHS combination, radio, and Sony CD changer, all of which are standard equipment. Circuit breakers on the electrical panel are illuminated—a real plus after sunset.

It’s axiomatic that bigger boats have bigger galleys, and the 470 is no exception. Located to port, it offers a chef plenty of elbow room, counter space, and a portlight outboard that provides a view. Counters are constructed of Grancoat®, a tough fiberglass material that’s easy to maintain. A dry locker that could be converted to a refrigerator is located outboard to port, and a cabinet with glass doors is located on the aft bulkhead. The stove is a three-burner Princess with oven and a stainless steel hood fitted with halogen light. A microwave stored in a cutout will accelerate prep time of hot drinks for the midnight watch crew.

In all, living quarters are spacious and well-organized, and fit and finish are a cut above her predecessors.

Construction This Catalina is built at the company’s Florida factory. A completed boat consists of four components: the hull; a structural grid liner that absorbs and diffuses chainplate and mast loads and houses the engine bed; a liner running from bow to stern that does not provide any structural support but forms furniture, beds and cabinets; and, finally, the deck.

The hull to a point 6″ above the waterline is solid fiberglass impregnated with vinylester resin in the skin coat. The lamination schedule calls for hand-laying 2-oz. chop and 8 layers of mat and roving to produce a 1″ thick bottom. Topsides are cored with Baltec AL 600 balsa. A collision bulkhead at the aft end of the anchor locker fills the area between the deck and bottom of the hull; it is glassed to the hull.

The deck is constructed of layers of chop, mat, and roving cored with 1/2″ thick balsa. Pre-tapped, 3/8″ thick aluminum plates are bedded in areas where deck hardware will be installed.

Chainplates also show a new design, not used on any other Catalina models. Says Gerry Douglas, “It’s a ball- and-socket arrangement that locates chainplates through a round hole in the deck, rather than a slot. This method spreads loads, and they are perfectly bonded so there’s no problem with leaks. They are also self-aligning.” (Leaky chainplates have been a common source of criticism for Catalina yachts.)

Despite being a relatively complicated boat, most wiring and plumbing runs are easily accessible under floorboards and seat covers, and color coded for identification. Wiring runs are in half-round PVC bonded to the hull. A 118-page owner’s manual provides schematics of all of the boat’s mechanical systems, and should help to make most things clear even to those who may be “mechanically challenged.”

Performance Invited aboard by Douglas and Seattle dealer Carl Rafello, we tested the 470 on a fall afternoon in which predicted 10-15 knot winds did not materialize. However, we did ferret out the 470’s personality in 6-8 knot winds. In that light air she performed well enough to sneak into our definition of “performance cruiser,” although that phrase is amorphous enough to include a lot of boats in different conditions.

Her rated sail area of 1,010 square feet (100% foretriangle), combined with her wing-keel configuration displacement of 26,500 lbs., gives her a SA/D ratio of 14.01—in the lower ranges of what we might hope for in the horsepower department. Change to a fin keel and she immediately drops 1,800 pounds of displacement; add the optional taller rig for sailing in predominately light winds, and SA increases to 1,092 square feet. This combination allows a SA/D of 18.9, a much more blood-stirring figure. In that configuration, the D/L drops to 160, and she actually ends up in the upper reaches of the light-displacement category.

Sailing with the standard rig and fin keel under a 135-percent genoa, we recorded 5-6 knots of boatspeed off the breeze. Upwind, when pressed, she could sail within about 40 degrees of the apparent wind without loss of speed. Our upwind and downwind boatspeeds were about the same in that breeze. The helm is light, sight lines from both wheels are excellent, and our test boat tacked easily through about 90 degrees.

The limit of positive stability (LPS) of the 470 is listed at 126 degrees, which is within the acceptable range for offshore boats, and in fact she’s rated as a Category A (“Ocean”) cruiser under CE requirements. While we don’t doubt the boat’s essential structural integrity, or that she could cross an ocean in the right hands, she’s really not set up for that. (For example, aside from the mast issue, there are no sea berths, which might be OK on a downwind sail to Hawaii, but wouldn’t be too great on a long starboard tack to Bermuda.)

Conclusion Our test provided, at best, a hint of the performance potential of this boat. Nonetheless, given proper conditions we would expect her to sail at her calculated hull speed of 8.5 knots.

A prospective buyer must carefully evaluate typical conditions in the area where the boat will be sailed, and match sail area and keel configuration accordingly. The deep-keel, tall-rig combination will certainly maximize the boat’s performance. (Those are big jumps in both SA/D and D/L numbers up there.) Given deep enough home waters, this would be the way to go. With that set-up, we could expect her to record 150-200 mile days off the wind under a cruising kite.

Well-conceived mechanical systems make the 470 easy to sail. Be aware, though, that there are of lot of these systems, from the dual steering to the rather complex lighting and entertainment wiring. The harder you sail this boat, the more scrutiny and maintenance these systems will require.

In terms of creature comfort, the boat is excellent—spacious on deck and gracious below. Her list of standard equipment is extensive; add electronics and a 150% genoa, and stores, and she’ll be ready for a coastal cruise. Add electric winches and a mainsail furling system, and the task becomes easier (although more complicated).

Following the company’s philosophy, the 470 is moderately priced at $265,510 (FOB Largo), in the ballpark with similarly sized production boats like the Beneteau 473, priced at $231,000. (Close scrutiny of the list of standard gear is necessary for a complete comparison of pricing.)

The strengths of the 470 lie exactly where Gerry Douglas placed them for his potential market: She’s set up very intelligently for coastal cruising, living aboard, and the occasional coastal hop of a few hundred miles in offshore conditions. That’s plenty to ask of a production boat of this size and price, and the 470 seems to answer those demands nicely. She also comes with a devoted support network of owners.

Contact- Catalina Yachts, 818/884-7700, www.catalinayachts.com .

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2022 Dufour 470 Ocean review

The dufour 470 is an ideal coastal cruiser with a decent turn of speed when needed.

Few things are more enjoyable to windward than a deep-keeled monohull with a good suit of sails, such as the Dufour 470.

The Dufour 470 made its Australian debut at the 2021 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show via The Yacht Sales Co, part of catamaran and trimaran specialist Multihull Solutions.

Since then, six of these cruisers from the La Rochelle, France-based builder have been imported, including the subject of this test, hull No.48.

Dufour’s monohull sailboats – not to be confused with Dufour Catamarans — comprises a nine-boat range in lengths from the entry-level 10.3-metre Dufour 32 up to the 19.2-metre Dufour 61 flagship.

In its early days and under company founder Michele Dufour, the yard was known for performance cruisers.

Several changes of ownership later, Dufour Yachts is now owned by multihull specialist Fountaine Pajot and concentrates on general cruising yachts designed by Italian architect Umberto Felci.

Price and equipment

The Dufour 470 is available in three versions; conventionally rigged Ocean, regatta-ready Performance and shorthanded-friendly Easy.

The Easy version of the Dufour 470 includes a self-taking jib, in-mast furling and saloon top-mounted mainsheet, while the Performance version includes a deeper keel for improved windward performance, six winches and a transom-mounted mainsheet track.

The base price for the Dufour 470 Ocean, the subject of our test, starts from $724,500. It also has locally cut carbon EM2 sails by Hood that set beautifully when bent on the Z-Spars alloy mast with wire shrouds and double backstay.

Even while moored at the Middle Harbour Yacht Club in Sydney, there is plenty to enjoy about hull No.48.

A cruising yacht’s cockpit has to be a versatile space because it must function both at sea and at rest, something the Dufour 470’s Italian designer clearly understands.

The large and wide teak-clad cockpit is divided into a central area for relaxing, and with sail controls aft and on the coachroof.

The throttle for the 75hp Volvo Penta D2 saildrive is well-placed on the starboard binnacle, as are the controls for the bow thruster that retracts when not in use to give the hull a clean profile.

The saildrive’s ignition is conveniently beside the Raymarine multifunction chartplotter, as is the engine’s tacho.

The diameters of the twin composite steering wheels are just right for standing or heeled and sitting outboard with the foot plates deployed.

Good features abound elsewhere in the cockpit, such as ample space to walk between the twin binnacles, and easy access to the rudder shaft to fit the supplied tiller that serves as emergency steering.

At sea, the elongated cockpit table has wide fold-out teak wings and a larger Raymarine screen that’s visible to the cockpit.

The table also serves as a useful brace, and can come fitted with a fridge and storage.

Our review boat was offshore-ready with a spray hood and bimini fitted with 1200 watts of solar panels, and a hinged swim platform.

Of note, the main hatch providing access to duck below uses fashionable saloon-style doors rather than my preferred sliding washboards, but that is really the only blemish in the Dufour 470’s cockpit.

Hull and engineering

Strong aesthetics characterised by upright hulls with high-volume interiors and low-profile deck saloons are a feature of all Felci-designed Dufours.

The Dufour 470’s vast 4.7-metre beam carries to the transom to further maximise volume, increase form stability and create a planing area for gaining downwind speed. Hard chines give linear stability.

A major upside of the wide hull is a lack of major heeling angle, something that improves life aboard under sail.

Engine access is via a lifting companionway. It opens to a conventionally laid-out engine room with access to all service points on the Volvo Penta diesel saildrive.

The resin-infused, foam-cored vinylester hull has a long, hard chine aft and deep forward sections with a contemporary snub bow and vertical transom that maximises the 13.6-metre waterline.

The deck is made from injection-moulded foam that provides insulation and weight savings.

The Dufour 470 uses a single deep spade rudder on a stainless shaft.

Ballast is provided by an L-shaped cast iron keel that won’t snag when coastal cruising – something the Dufour 470 looks eminently suited for.

The ballast ratio is modest at only 26.9 per cent, but similar to many modern designs, stability comes from the wide beam and big volume.

A sail area displacement (SAD) ratio of 19.5 slots the Dufour 470 in the moderate weighted cruiser class.

Layout and accommodation

The saloon’s open-plan arrangement is the modern finish at which European yachts excel.

The Dufour 470’s saloon is intended to suit both offshore and anchorage, but there are compromises.

This includes a lack of handholds, with my preference for one mounted longitudinally on the roof to help with forward access while underway.

There is a spacious dinette lounge with surrounding seating for about eight, as well as a bench seat on the port side with sumptuous cushioning.

The Dufour 470 can have its galley forward, as on our test boat, but it also can be located longitudinally amidships.

The Dufour 470 is a very good example of this. The galley space is surrounded with overhead lockers and features a double fridge-freezer and lots of worktop area with enough real estate for two crew to prepare food.

Traditionalists may baulk at this large yacht feature, but it frees up the entire aft saloon for entertainment, as well as a corner chart bench where some electronics could be housed on the bulkhead.

One of the options for accommodations is the large V-berth and two double berths aft built into hull No.48.

Another layout for this high-volume hull is for four cabins, each with an ensuite, which makes it ideal for the charter market.

Alternatively, dedicated cruising sailors may choose a three-cabin, two-head version.

The aft berths are the most comfortable at sea, but the trend towards European-style stern-to mooring favours the large forward V-berth, to give owners more privacy.

The queen-size bed on our test boat has access on both sides, and storage beneath.

The tall topsides mean headroom in this space is generous, and there is plenty of extra space for lockers and shelves.

Ventilation and natural light is also superb with the space using a rectangular forward-facing skylight.

Also good is the split shower and head located on separate sides of the V-berth.

Looking aft, despite being under the cockpit floor the two symmetrical double cabins retain good volume and have easy access to the shared second bathroom.

Again, locker space is generous, as is the natural light from the elongated portlights. In fact, natural light is a notable feature throughout the Dufour 470’s interior, with the sense of light enhanced via light timber finishes.

On the water

The retractable Side-Power thruster easily pushed the tall topsides against the breeze to help us cast off from the marina.

At the wheel was new owner Tom, his wife Janice as crew, and our host for the day, The Yacht Co sales and business development manager Bob Vinks.

Once clear and motoring away, the 75hp Volvo Penta D2 saildrive showed its mettle, pushing us along at 7.0 knots at 2500rpm, with no vibration from the folding propeller.

The Lewmar electric winch and lazyjacks made short work of hoisting the Hood mainsail once we pointed into the wind, and with the genoa set – it uses a tape furler that is smoother than a drum furler – we surged off towards Sydney Heads for our coastal passage north to Pittwater.

Few Sydney boaters venture beyond the Heads, with many happy to just sail in Sydney Harbour’s enclosed waters.

For the more adventurous among us, the first test is the confused, surging southerly swell that marks the entrance and acts as a reminder to batten all hatches, close doors and stow gear.

There was no structural groans from the Dufour 470 , a sign of the strength and rigidity afforded by the glassed-in bulkheads and solidly laid-up hull.

There was the inevitable crash landing and spray over the foredeck as the 1.5-metre swell met our blunt bow, but the deep cockpit and sprayhood offered good protection.

The generous amount of space around the jib sheet winches and the German mainsheet made setting up for a tack easy, via controls on both sides a mainsheet track on the cabin top.

Tacking through about 100 degrees, we made our way north, punching against wind and tide. Despite these conditions, the predictable roll of the 470 allowed us all to settle into a rhythm for an enjoyable experience.

Sitting on the gunwale and bracad on the lifting footplate, the helm can easily reduce pressure on the deep spade rudder via judicious use of the sheets.

With an easy grip on the composite wheel and a clear view of the telltales on both genoa and mainsail, it was a very enjoyable experience.

Tom, the Dufour 470’s owner, had managed about 7.0 knots approaching Long Nose Point, the midway point to our destination

That was the benchmark to beat. Despite the sometimes fickle breeze, and with flatter water than Tom had before he handed over the wheel, I reached 8.9 knots hard on the breeze at 42 degrees, and with 19 knots of true wind.

That’s impressive, and in a large part due to the excellent Hood EM2 sails.

As I said earlier, few things are more enjoyable to windward than a deep-keeled monohull. The refinement of this Dufour 470 adds to that.

Sailboats are built for a purpose and need to be judged accordingly. Dufour 470, hull No.48, aims to be a general cruising yacht. It eminently succeeds at this.

Given that Hamilton Island Race Week, Australia’s premium sailboat regatta, is now largely made up of these “compromised cruiser”-style yachts, this Dufour 470 should yield plenty of enjoyment on the race course, but still pamper you once you return to base to claim the handicap trophy.

Specifications Model:  Dufour 470 Ocean Length overall:  14.85m Waterline length:  13.55m Beam:  4.74m Draft:  2.25m Displacement:  13,200kg (light) Ballast:  3550kg Sail area displacement ratio:  19.5 Sails:  mainsail 57.0m²/genoa 50m²/asymmetric or Code O Engine:  60hp Volvo Penta D2 saildrive (std)/75hp Volvo Penta D2 saildrive (opt) Fuel:  250L Water:  530L Accommodation:  3 cabins/6 people

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Yachting Monthly

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Preview: Dufour 470 – three boats in one

• Toby Heppell
• May 5, 2021

The new Dufour 470 follows in the footsteps of bigger sister the Dufour 530 in offering three deck layouts each aimed at a different part of the sailing market

The new Dufour 470 looks to be something of a new direction for the brand, and their introduction to the boat states that it ‘epitomises the shape of things to come’.

Much of this new direction is around offering various packages on the same hull, with three options, which broadly replace the two previous Grand Large and Performance lines which Dufour has offered for the past two decades.

Three deck layouts are available. Here the Ocean layout. 

Essentially these three deck layouts are:

The Easy version, a very simple layout, intended primarily for charter, with sheeting and control lines led to a singular aft winch, at the back of the cockpit coaming.

The Ocean model is aimed at owners wanting a more traditional layout, with the halyards and control lines led to the coach roof and the sheets led to the helm station – in essence the cruising model for most prospective owners.

Finally a Performance version sports six winches, two each for main, genoa and pit, enabling constant sail trimming.

This three deck layout in one hull model concept follows in the footsteps of the bigger sister, the Dufour 530 which offers the same. Though it may be easy to dismiss this move as marketing guff to cover a preference for offering the same hull to a wider market, developments in hull shapes in recent years have made it easier to incorporate a wider variety of options into the one hull shape.

Principally here, the Dufour 470 follows a recent trend towards fuller bows, which coupled with the ongoing trend for wider, more powerful sterns creates a great deal of volume below.

These fuller bows come in part from a trend in the racing market, as top end offshore racers edge towards a more scow-bow shape. In the cruising world, although slightly increased bow volume does mean more space below, it can also make for a more comfortable boat to sail by reducing heel and thus requiring fewer hands to sail, particularly in gusty conditions.

Full bows and a full stern offer plenty of volume below

The Dufour 470 includes a reverse chamfer curve on the topsides below the sheer line in addition to the larger forward hull volumes and a smooth fore and aft chine, though with pains to reduce wetted surface area.

She comes available with 3, 4 or 5 cabin layout options, with up to four heads and a front or side galley, the layout choices can accommodate larger or reduced crew numbers, sailing styles and comfort options.

Ample deck storage is available via cockpit lockers, additional forward and aft stowage. There’s plenty of seating and the option for adding a large sunbed on the aft deck.

Each helm station has a dedicated location for a complete range of navigation instruments, and Dufour say it offers great all-round visibility from the helm, while the engine throttle mounted a waist height should provide easy control when manoeuvring.

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BOAT REVIEW

MODEL DETAILS

Specifications.

• Performance
• High quality build and engineering

The Dufour 470 made its Australian debut at the 2021 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, supplied by Multihull Solutions through the dealership Yacht Sales Co. Since then, six of these cruisers have been imported into Australia and the first 470 is due in New Zealand in April 2023. After an enjoyable coastal sail on hull #48, I can clearly see the attraction. The La Rochelle-based builder’s nine-boat range goes from 31 foot to the flagship 61-footer. Under founder Michele Dufour, the yard was known for performance cruisers, but now owned by Fountaine Pajot, it specialises in general cruising yachts, designed by Italian Umberto Felci since 2003.

Customisation The Dufour 470 is available in three versions: Ocean, Performance and Easy. The base price for the Ocean is AUD$724,500. Our review boat was an Ocean version with traditional sail handling – slab reefing, winches on the coamings and mainsail sheeting near the helm. Alternatively, aspiring regatta participants can opt for the deeper-keeled Performance version with better capabilities to windward, six winches and transom location of the mainsail track. The Easy suits charters and short-handed sailors, with a self-tacking jib, in-mast furling and saloon-mounted mainsheet. The review boat had locally-cut Hood sails, carbon EM2 versions that set beautifully bent on a Z-Spars alloy mast with wire shrouds and double backstay.

Open plan saloon The open-plan saloon arrangement has the modern finish European yachts excel at. The floor plan is intended for utility both offshore and at anchor, but there are compromises such as a lack of handholds, especially a desirable longitudinal roof handrail. There is a spacious dinette lounge with surrounding seating for about eight, plus the bench seat with sumptuous cushioning on the port side. The galley can be positioned forward – as on our boat – or longitudinally mid-ships.

Galley forward is popular on larger yachts, taking advantage their wide beam to create a substantial athwartships cooking space with plenty surrounding bulkheads for whitegoods (including washer-dryer). The 470 is a very good example of this. Surrounded by overhead locker space, double fridge-freezer and lots of worktop area, the galley easily allows two crew to prepare food. Traditionalists may discount this large yacht feature, but it leaves the entire aft saloon free for entertaining, plus a corner chart table where navigation electronics could be housed on the bulkhead.

Four cabins Accommodation layouts include a large V-berth and two double berths aft, as reviewed. As you’d expect from this high-volume hull, up to four cabins can have ensuites, which is ideal for the charter market. Alternatively, dedicated cruising sailors may choose the three-cabin, two-head version seen here. Notable features include ample natural light from portlights, saloon windows and large skylights throughout the hull. The pale wood finish further brightens the layout, including around the forward galley.

Strong aesthetics Strong aesthetics are a feature of all Felci-designed Dufours, characterised by upright hulls to accommodate high-volume interiors and low-profile deck saloons. The vast beam (15.5 ft) is carried to the transom to further maximise volume, increase form stability and create a wide planing area for downwind speed, with hard chines giving linear stability. A major upside of the wide hull is only modest heeling angles, which improves life aboard under sail. Engine access is via the lifting companionway with the machinery space conventionally laid-out with access to all service points on the Volvo 75hp diesel.

Coastal cruise Casting off from the marina in Sydney was done without drama thanks to the drop-down Side Power thruster pushing the tall topsides against the side-breeze. On the wheel was new owner Tom, wife Janice as crew, and our host for the day, Bob Vinks from The Yacht Co. Once clear and motoring away from the pontoon, the 75hp Volvo showed its mettle, pushing us to seven knots at 2,500rpm and no vibration felt from the folding propeller. Pointing into the wind, the electric Lewmar winch made short work of hoisting the Hood mainsail, via the lazyjacks and we surged off towards Sydney Heads for our coastal passage north. Similarly, with the genoa on its tape furler – a smoother system than the drum version – it rolled out seamlessly.

Many Sydney boaters never venture beyond the heads, and given the lovely sailing in these enclosed waters, I can appreciate this. However, the more adventurous do and their first test is the surging southerly swell that becomes confused at the harbour entrance. They are a reminder to batten all hatches, close the doors and stow gear. We did some of that on the 470, but there were no structural groans – thanks to features such as glassed-in bulkheads and a solidly laid-up hull. As the metre-plus swell met our blunt bow there was the inevitable crash landing and spray over the foredeck, but the deep cockpit and sprayhood protected us well. Setting up for a tack was easily done with generous space around the jib sheet winches and the German mainsheet allowed control from both sides, the rig easily managed by its mainsheet track on the cabin top.

Latest Boat Reviews

Boat Review: Dufour 470

Annapolis may be the sailing capital of America, but if you looked around the United States Sailboat Show last fall, you would have no choice but to conclude most sailboats are now built in Europe. The Dufour 470 is a good example of a modern French performance cruiser.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

The Dufour 470 carries the long waterline, hard chines, nearly flush deck and broad stern that have become commonplace of late aboard European boats. Particularly arresting is the chine that runs the entire length of the hull immediately below the sheerline and the slight tumblehome it provides up at the bow, presumably to help lower the center of gravity by reducing weight well above the waterline. Elongated hull windows and a second chine a short distance above the waterline further accentuate the perceived length of the boat’s topside. To my eye, the combination of these features in this new Umberto Felci design is rather handsome.

All Dufour boats are built at a single factory in La Rochelle, France, which in turn allows the company to control its entire supply chain in the interest of cost and quality control. I found the fit and finish of the 470 to be above average for a production boat, with the same emphasis on top-quality interior design and joinerywork that has been a trademark of the builder for many years.

The hull is infused with PVC foam coring above the waterline. The cored deck is also vacuum infused. The glass work that I could see in hidden places was neatly finished, with the component parts all fitted together carefully and accurately. The laminate schedule includes a vinylester outer layer to help stave off osmosis.

The wiring of the distributed electrical system and the hoses for the plumbing were all neat, bundled and labeled. Interiors lockers were all lined. Engine access under the companionway steps and from the sides is good.

As with many European boats, the deep draft-keel on the Dufour 470 could cause problems for those American sailors who typically sail the many shallower locales along the Eastern Seaboard. Granted, a deep, efficient keel enhances performance to windward. But it could also pose a challenge should you ever decide to go cruising or try and set the hook anywhere with 7ft of water or less. This includes many of the coves along the Chesapeake Bay, Intracoastal Waterway, Florida, Gulf Coast and the Bahamas. The rudder stock for the boat’s single, high-aspect rudder is solid stainless steel.

The Dufour 470 deck is all about living outdoors in comfort. The transom, for example, lowers to become the biggest stern platform I’ve ever seen on a boat this size, creating a sort of after-aft deck that will be especially useful for boarding since the freeboard of the boat is quite high.

All Dufours now have an outdoor galley at the stern, and the one on the 470 sports a real sink, counter space and a gas stove that will serve as a standard stovetop or a grill. You can put on your cookout apron with the silly slogan on it and whip up a complete meal here without creating any kind of mess or heating things up belowdecks.

Forward of the transom, a lot of thought from actual sailors went into the working part of the deck plan. The transition from the cockpit to the side decks, for example, is wonderfully easy, and each of the boat’s twin wheels has an excellent footrest for steering and covered bins to either side for tucking away excess sheet tails. Windage is minimal with good sightlines forward and plenty of room to grind winches and tail sheets, making the boat a joy to sail.

Dufour offers three versions of the deck layout, with a variety of choices in terms of winch placement and type, the mainsheet configuration, headsail size, which includes the option of a self-tacking jib. The short bow platform will accommodate an asymmetric light-air sail and doubles as an anchor roller to keep the hook away from the boat’s plumb bow. The owner of our test boat had specified a mast shortened by 4ft in order to clear the bridges on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

Looking aft from the galley space, there’s a wealth of living space

ACCOMMODATIONS

Moving down the well-designed companionway steps, I was greeted by what Dufour calls “Layout 4,” in which a transverse galley is set amidships across the forward end of the saloon. In this configuration, there are bulkheads to brace against in a seaway and ample countertops that do not intrude into the dining and seating areas. The other three interior choices feature a galley set along the boat’s starboard side.

On our test boat, seating for six surrounded a table to starboard. A series of large and small lockers surround the cabin, each with a secure door to provide excellent stowage. A television rises from within a bulkhead for comfortable viewing. While the interior panels are Alpi, an engineered wood laminate, the trim around the edges is solid wood. Our test boat had an attractive light oak color finish.

Light floods the interior through a set of big side windows and overhead hatches to create a pleasant, spacious look. The hatches are all equipped with shades, and the windows are tinted. Although there are no overhead handrails, the edges of the counters and bulkheads offer secure places to grip. Tall sailors will appreciate the high overhead clearance. The semi-freestanding forward berth is at a convenient height and allows good access from the sides. Two conventional double cabins aft complete the sleeping arrangements.

The short mast’s reduced sail area aboard our test boat was just right for the 12 to 15-knot southerly breeze seas of a foot or less that greeted us out on Chesapeake Bay. The only headsail aboard was the self-tacking jib, which made handling easy but left us somewhat underpowered on occasion. The standard overlapping jib or a genoa and a full-size mainsail would obviously perk things up a bit in light to medium air. Off the wind, an A-sail or Code 0 would also be highly recommended.

Manual winches served the reduced sailplan we had and were more than adequate. However, I would recommend powered winches for anyone interested in going with the standard rig, as line loads will be higher. I found it a bit awkward cranking the coaming winches from the helm. However, they were just right for the rest of the crew. The cabintop traveler worked smoothly, making it that much easier to fine-tune the main.

Handling was perfect, with just enough helm feedback. The boat tracked steadily making it a pleasure to sail. I measured 6 knots of boatspeed on a close reach with tacking angles well under 90 degrees. Belowdecks, at speed, the Dufour 470 was exceptionally quiet, with nary a creak to be heard anywhere.

UNDER POWER

The Volvo saildrive pushed us along at a 6.7 knot pace at a 2,000 rpm cruise setting, accelerating to 8.4 knots with the throttle wide open at 2,750 rpm. At cruise, the sound level in the cabin was a low 66 dBA. Since cruising sailors motor more often than they care to admit, this quiet performance will be welcome. The turning response was quick, and the boat stopped and backed predictably. The turning circle was about 1.5 boatlengths.

The Dufour 470 hits a real sweet spots in terms of looks, handling and accommodations, with an exceptionally wide range of layout choices. The boat can be a cruiser, club racer or charter boat. It behaves well, moves efficiently and is quiet and comfortable. It is also well built and attractive, both inside and out. Whether in its details or as a complete package, the Dufour 470 is a nice sailing, good looking boat by any standard. 

Specifications

LOA 48ft 8in LWL 44ft 6in BEAM 15ft 7in

DRAFT 7ft 5in

DISPLACEMENT 29,101lb

BALLAST 7,826lb

SAIL AREA 1,152ft 2 (main and self-tacking headsail)

FUEL/WATER (GAL) 66/140

ENGINE 60hp Volvo diesel

SA/D Ratio 19 D/L Ratio 147

Ballast Ratio 27

What do these ratios mean? Visit sailmagazine.com/ratios

DESIGNER Felci Yachts

BUILDER Dufour, La Rochelle, France, dufour-yachts.com

PRICE $ 357,710 (base) at time of publication

July/August 2022

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Technical specifications - Dufour 470

Photos of the boat, technical features.

• Length HT : 49ft (14.85m)
• Max. width : 16ft (4.74m)
• Weight : 13.2 tons
• Draft : 7ft (2.25m)
• Max. sleeping capacity : 8
• Number of cabins : 3 to 4
• Bathrooms : 2 to 4
• Water capacity : 530L

Standard motorisation

• Engine Power : 60hp
• Fuel capacity : 250L

Standard canopy

• Total sail area : 351sqft (107m2)
• Mainsail area : 187sqft (57m2)
• Genoa/jib area : 164sqft (50m2)

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> > Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. 21-02-2019, 09:51   Boat: Catalina 470 a 470, and have done lots of already. While no is perfect, this one seems a good fit for our needs. Every is a series of compromises... That said, if anyone has direct experience with the C470, I'd love to hear your thoughts, both the good and the bad. I've already communicated with some C470 owners (thanks Dale!), and gotten some great info. Any comments are welcome... Regards, David. ” – Mark Twain 23-02-2019, 20:46   Boat: Swan 432 in San Fransisco the had a 3 year old 470. The only thing I remember was that the ballast was a bit light for my taste. 23-02-2019, 21:32   Boat: Outbound 44 470 Lady. 23-02-2019, 22:50   Boat: Catalina 470 in San Fransisco the had a 3 year old 470. The only thing I remember was that the ballast was a bit light for my taste. 25-02-2019, 05:37   Boat: Catalina 470 05-03-2019, 19:23   Boat: Catalina 470 1999 . The previous owner had taken the cabinets in both heads apart and we are trying to figure out if we are missing any and how to put them back together again. Would any C470 owner be generous enough to share photos of their cabinets, with doors closed and doors opened so that we can see what they are supposed to look like, both inside and out? Any help anyone can provide would be much appreciated. Thanks much. Joane 30-12-2019, 11:54   Boat: 2000 Catalina 470 #058 30-12-2019, 20:03   Boat: Catalina 470 30-12-2019, 20:24   Boat: 2000 Catalina 470 #058 full time, it's really great for that. Only real complaint is that it has remarkably little storage for a boat of its size, and you have to get very creative in where and how you store things. Our boat came with the captain's chairs in the , but they take up way too much room, and further reduce storage. We've gotten rid of those chairs, and in the process of building a bench seat/sofa, with storage underneath. It should also make a great sea berth. We have not seen any issues with cracks around the backstay chainplates. Regards, David. 30-12-2019, 20:38   Boat: Seawind 1000xl sheet/traveler/Cunningham would be the minimum be needed. 30-12-2019, 20:44   Boat: 2000 Catalina 470 #058 sheet/traveler/Cunningham would be the minimum be needed. 11-02-2020, 09:22   Boat: Catalina 470 owners of the C470 might give us some insights on how you are liking the C470 so far? We are looking hard at one, the is done, as is the sea-trial. I am curious how the folks here, especially the newer buyers, feel about it. which I have done). , our 1984 40' which we've owned for about 7 years. We did not invest our fortunes into her, because we wanted to see where this path leads us in terms of doing everything ourselves by sailing, , and so on without all the "bells & whistles". Now we are liking what we see and our thoughts are to upgrade with appropriate upgraded over the next few years while we extricate ourselves and go do some coastal cruising and possibly beyond. 11-02-2020, 10:29   Boat: Catalina 470 is done, as is the sea-trial. I am curious how the folks here, especially the newer buyers, feel about it. 11-02-2020, 10:59   Boat: Catalina 470 address and number, in case you have some specific questions. Regards, David 17-12-2020, 18:42   Boat: Catalina 470 47 feet Thread Tools Rate This Thread : Posting Rules post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts is are code is are are are Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post CSY Man Monohull Sailboats 112 05-01-2022 18:58 sailingmonica Flotsam & Sailing Miscellany 9 09-10-2009 04:08 cbcat Multihull Sailboats 6 09-03-2009 16:11 svHyLyte Product or Service Reviews & Evaluations 4 15-08-2008 07:43 No Threads to Display. - - - - - - - Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts. Sailboat Guide Catalina 470 Catalina 470 is a 47 ′ 8 ″ / 14.5 m monohull sailboat designed by Gerry Douglas and built by Catalina Yachts starting in 1998. 2 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 3 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 4 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 5 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 6 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 7 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 8 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 9 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 10 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 11 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 12 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 13 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 14 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 15 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View 16 / 16 Northport, NY, US 2000 Catalina 470 $185,000 USD View Rig and Sails Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations. The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more. Classic hull speed formula: Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL Sail Area / Displacement Ratio A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more. SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3 SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay). D : Displacement in pounds. Ballast / Displacement Ratio A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize. Ballast / Displacement * 100 Displacement / Length Ratio A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in pounds. LWL: Waterline length in feet Comfort Ratio This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more. Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 ) D: Displacement of the boat in pounds LOA: Length overall in feet Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet Capsize Screening Formula This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more. CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64) Wing keel versions draft: 5.5’/1.68m Tall rig with mast moved aft: I: 62.67’ / 19.10m J: 17.83’ / 5.43m P: 56.92’ / 17.35m E: 20.00’ / 6.10m Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code. About Sailboat Guide ©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. BOAT OF THE YEAR Newsletters Sailboat Reviews Boating Safety Sails and Rigging Maintenance Sailing Totem Sailor & Galley Living Aboard Destinations Gear & Electronics Charter Resources Ultimate Boat Giveaway Quick Look: Hanse 470e By Jeremy McGeary Updated: September 13, 2007 The second model offered by Hanse in its updated “e” series is the 470e, which shows off well the crisp deck styling and gets a real big-boat look with its flush foredeck. Anchoring gear is tucked under a hatch in the foredeck to keep it from spoiling the lines, and from snagging on lines, not that there are many for it to tangle with-the sole foresail is a self-tacking jib. Twin wheels set the tone for the cockpit, where all control lines lead under the deck to port and starboard winches. A channel molded onto the coachroof around the companionway opening houses the folded-down dodger. With lots of volume to fill, the “Individual Cabin Concept” system of interior modules offers a variety of ways to compose living quarters to suit a slew of preferences. Hanse 470e Specs LOA: 46′ 7″ LWL: 41′ 4″ Beam: 14′ 8″ Draft: 8′ 6″/7′ 7″/6′ 5″ Sail Area: 1186 sq. ft Displacement: 26,923 lbs Water: 116 gal Fuel: 66 gal Engines: Yanmar 54 hp Designer: Judel/Vrolijk Hanse Yachts AG 410-626-1493 www.hanseyachts.com More: 2001 - 2010 , 41 - 50 ft , Coastal Cruising , hanse , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats More Sailboats Sailboat Preview: Elan GT6 Explorer For Sale: 1984 Camper & Nicholsons 58 Alubat Updates OVNI Models For Sale: Little Harbor 63 Ketch From Paradise to Medical Emergency: A Bahamas Nightmare Turns Lesson Learned Free Medical Advice: The Unwarranted, Unprofessional Edition Gatekeepers of the Waterway Rigging Redo: Our Switch to Synthetic Digital Edition Customer Service Privacy Policy Terms of Use Email Newsletters Cruising World Sailing World Salt Water Sportsman Sport Fishing Wakeboarding 2022 Dufour 470 Ocean review The dufour 470 is an ideal coastal cruiser with a decent turn of speed when needed. Few things are more enjoyable to windward than a deep-keeled monohull with a good suit of sails, such as the Dufour 470. The Dufour 470 made its Australian debut at the 2021 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show via The Yacht Sales Co, part of catamaran and trimaran specialist Multihull Solutions. Since then, six of these cruisers from the La Rochelle, France-based builder have been imported, including the subject of this test, hull No.48. Dufour’s monohull sailboats – not to be confused with Dufour Catamarans -- comprises a nine-boat range in lengths from the entry-level 10.3-metre Dufour 32 up to the 19.2-metre Dufour 61 flagship. In its early days and under company founder Michele Dufour, the yard was known for performance cruisers. Several changes of ownership later, Dufour Yachts is now owned by multihull specialist Fountaine Pajot and concentrates on general cruising yachts designed by Italian architect Umberto Felci. Price and equipment The Dufour 470 is available in three versions; conventionally rigged Ocean, regatta-ready Performance and shorthanded-friendly Easy. The Easy version of the Dufour 470 includes a self-taking jib, in-mast furling and saloon top-mounted mainsheet, while the Performance version includes a deeper keel for improved windward performance, six winches and a transom-mounted mainsheet track. The base price for the Dufour 470 Ocean, the subject of our test, starts from $724,500. It also has locally cut carbon EM2 sails by Hood that set beautifully when bent on the Z-Spars alloy mast with wire shrouds and double backstay. Even while moored at the Middle Harbour Yacht Club in Sydney, there is plenty to enjoy about hull No.48. A cruising yacht's cockpit has to be a versatile space because it must function both at sea and at rest, something the Dufour 470’s Italian designer clearly understands. The large and wide teak-clad cockpit is divided into a central area for relaxing, and with sail controls aft and on the coachroof. The throttle for the 75hp Volvo Penta D2 saildrive is well-placed on the starboard binnacle, as are the controls for the bow thruster that retracts when not in use to give the hull a clean profile. The saildrive’s ignition is conveniently beside the Raymarine multifunction chartplotter, as is the engine’s tacho. The diameters of the twin composite steering wheels are just right for standing or heeled and sitting outboard with the foot plates deployed. Good features abound elsewhere in the cockpit, such as ample space to walk between the twin binnacles, and easy access to the rudder shaft to fit the supplied tiller that serves as emergency steering. At sea, the elongated cockpit table has wide fold-out teak wings and a larger Raymarine screen that’s visible to the cockpit. The table also serves as a useful brace, and can come fitted with a fridge and storage. Our review boat was offshore-ready with a spray hood and bimini fitted with 1200 watts of solar panels, and a hinged swim platform. Of note, the main hatch providing access to duck below uses fashionable saloon-style doors rather than my preferred sliding washboards, but that is really the only blemish in the Dufour 470's cockpit. Hull and engineering Strong aesthetics characterised by upright hulls with high-volume interiors and low-profile deck saloons are a feature of all Felci-designed Dufours. The Dufour 470’s vast 4.7-metre beam carries to the transom to further maximise volume, increase form stability and create a planing area for gaining downwind speed. Hard chines give linear stability. A major upside of the wide hull is a lack of major heeling angle, something that improves life aboard under sail. Engine access is via a lifting companionway. It opens to a conventionally laid-out engine room with access to all service points on the Volvo Penta diesel saildrive. The resin-infused, foam-cored vinylester hull has a long, hard chine aft and deep forward sections with a contemporary snub bow and vertical transom that maximises the 13.6-metre waterline. The deck is made from injection-moulded foam that provides insulation and weight savings. The Dufour 470 uses a single deep spade rudder on a stainless shaft. Ballast is provided by an L-shaped cast iron keel that won't snag when coastal cruising – something the Dufour 470 looks eminently suited for. The ballast ratio is modest at only 26.9 per cent, but similar to many modern designs, stability comes from the wide beam and big volume. A sail area displacement (SAD) ratio of 19.5 slots the Dufour 470 in the moderate weighted cruiser class. Layout and accommodation The saloon’s open-plan arrangement is the modern finish at which European yachts excel. The Dufour 470’s saloon is intended to suit both offshore and anchorage, but there are compromises. This includes a lack of handholds, with my preference for one mounted longitudinally on the roof to help with forward access while underway. There is a spacious dinette lounge with surrounding seating for about eight, as well as a bench seat on the port side with sumptuous cushioning. The Dufour 470 can have its galley forward, as on our test boat, but it also can be located longitudinally amidships. The forward galley is gaining popularity on larger yachts where a wide beam can allow a substantial athwartships cooking space with plenty of surrounding bulkheads for whitegoods, including a combination washer-dryer. The Dufour 470 is a very good example of this. The galley space is surrounded with overhead lockers and features a double fridge-freezer and lots of worktop area with enough real estate for two crew to prepare food. Traditionalists may baulk at this large yacht feature, but it frees up the entire aft saloon for entertainment, as well as a corner chart bench where some electronics could be housed on the bulkhead. One of the options for accommodations is the large V-berth and two double berths aft built into hull No.48. Another layout for this high-volume hull is for four cabins, each with an ensuite, which makes it ideal for the charter market. Alternatively, dedicated cruising sailors may choose a three-cabin, two-head version. The aft berths are the most comfortable at sea, but the trend towards European-style stern-to mooring favours the large forward V-berth, to give owners more privacy. The queen-size bed on our test boat has access on both sides, and storage beneath. The tall topsides mean headroom in this space is generous, and there is plenty of extra space for lockers and shelves. Ventilation and natural light is also superb with the space using a rectangular forward-facing skylight. Also good is the split shower and head located on separate sides of the V-berth. Looking aft, despite being under the cockpit floor the two symmetrical double cabins retain good volume and have easy access to the shared second bathroom. Again, locker space is generous, as is the natural light from the elongated portlights. In fact, natural light is a notable feature throughout the Dufour 470’s interior, with the sense of light enhanced via light timber finishes. On the water The retractable Side-Power thruster easily pushed the tall topsides against the breeze to help us cast off from the marina. At the wheel was new owner Tom, his wife Janice as crew, and our host for the day, The Yacht Co sales and business development manager Bob Vinks. Once clear and motoring away, the 75hp Volvo Penta D2 saildrive showed its mettle, pushing us along at 7.0 knots at 2500rpm, with no vibration from the folding propeller. The Lewmar electric winch and lazyjacks made short work of hoisting the Hood mainsail once we pointed into the wind, and with the genoa set – it uses a tape furler that is smoother than a drum furler – we surged off towards Sydney Heads for our coastal passage north to Pittwater. Few Sydney boaters venture beyond the Heads, with many happy to just sail in Sydney Harbour’s enclosed waters. For the more adventurous among us, the first test is the confused, surging southerly swell that marks the entrance and acts as a reminder to batten all hatches, close doors and stow gear. There was no structural groans from the Dufour 470 , a sign of the strength and rigidity afforded by the glassed-in bulkheads and solidly laid-up hull. There was the inevitable crash landing and spray over the foredeck as the 1.5-metre swell met our blunt bow, but the deep cockpit and sprayhood offered good protection. The generous amount of space around the jib sheet winches and the German mainsheet made setting up for a tack easy, via controls on both sides a mainsheet track on the cabin top. Tacking through about 100 degrees, we made our way north, punching against wind and tide. Despite these conditions, the predictable roll of the 470 allowed us all to settle into a rhythm for an enjoyable experience. Sitting on the gunwale and bracad on the lifting footplate, the helm can easily reduce pressure on the deep spade rudder via judicious use of the sheets. With an easy grip on the composite wheel and a clear view of the telltales on both genoa and mainsail, it was a very enjoyable experience. Tom, the Dufour 470’s owner, had managed about 7.0 knots approaching Long Nose Point, the midway point to our destination That was the benchmark to beat. Despite the sometimes fickle breeze, and with flatter water than Tom had before he handed over the wheel, I reached 8.9 knots hard on the breeze at 42 degrees, and with 19 knots of true wind. That’s impressive, and in a large part due to the excellent Hood EM2 sails. As I said earlier, few things are more enjoyable to windward than a deep-keeled monohull. The refinement of this Dufour 470 adds to that. Sailboats are built for a purpose and need to be judged accordingly. Dufour 470, hull No.48, aims to be a general cruising yacht. It eminently succeeds at this. Given that Hamilton Island Race Week, Australia’s premium sailboat regatta, is now largely made up of these “compromised cruiser”-style yachts, this Dufour 470 should yield plenty of enjoyment on the race course, but still pamper you once you return to base to claim the handicap trophy. Specifications Model: Dufour 470 Ocean Length overall: 14.85m Waterline length: 13.55m Beam: 4.74m Draft: 2.25m Displacement: 13,200kg (light) Ballast: 3550kg Sail area displacement ratio: 19.5 Sails: mainsail 57.0m²/genoa 50m²/asymmetric or Code O Engine: 60hp Volvo Penta D2 saildrive (std)/75hp Volvo Penta D2 saildrive (opt) Fuel: 250L Water: 530L Accommodation: 3 cabins/6 people What we like Sharp exterior aesthetics including high sides and a low coachhouse Quality build and engineering Strong performance into the wind with Hood sails Not so much Main hatch uses a sliding door instead of washboards Saloon lacks internal handholds to make it easier to walk through while underway Stay up to date Become a boatsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox. 115 IMAGES Boat Review: Dufour 470 470 Sailboat And Trailer Lagoon 470 Catamaran Sailboat Review 470 On board Sailing HD Sailing boats for sale Dufour 470 Olympic sailing: Britain's Mills & McIntyre claim women's 470 world VIDEO Amazing boat fits in a box Women's 470 Sailing is Lit (Tokyo 2020) GBR Free 30' sailboat! #sailing #sports #summer #470 #sailboat #water #boatlife #ukraine The Hopkins river in the Solar 470 jetboat 2 top Sailboats under 100k COMMENTS Boat Review: Dufour 470 The boat can be a cruiser, club racer or charter boat. It behaves well, moves efficiently and is quiet and comfortable. It is also well built and attractive, both inside and out. Whether in its details or as a complete package, the Dufour 470 is a nice sailing, good looking boat by any standard. Specifications. LOA 48ft 8in LWL 44ft 6in BEAM ... Boat Reviews: The Dufour 470 and Dufour 61 The prolific French builder Dufour has added two new models, the 470 and flagship 61, to update its range of performance-cruiser sailboats. By Mark Pillsbury. March 2, 2022. Dufour 470 Jon Whittle. In a year disrupted by pandemic-­related workforce distractions, supply-chain woes and an overhaul of its woodshop, Dufour Yachts, one of France ... Dufour 470 Review Rupert Holmes Article. In his review Rupert Holmes describes Dufour 470 as pretty much personification of latest developments in yachting: it's safer, faster, more spacious and easier to handle at the same time. The design of the boat is definitely tailored for stability and the goal was achieved for sure. Dufour 470 review: Bags of space below Price as reviewed: Yacht design has made enormous strides in the past decade: the best of today's new boats are safer, easier to handle, faster and a lot more spacious than older models and the ... Catalina 470 Sailboat Reviews; Sailboats Over 40ft; used_sailboats; Catalina 470 Although it conforms to CE ratings for ocean sailing, this boat is better suited for coastal cruising in comfort and short offshore passages. It's got a great set of layout options for living aboard. 2022 Dufour 470 Ocean review Our review boat was offshore-ready with a spray hood and bimini fitted with 1200 watts of solar panels, and a hinged swim platform. Of note, the main hatch providing access to duck below uses fashionable saloon-style doors rather than my preferred sliding washboards, but that is really the only blemish in the Dufour 470's cockpit. 470 (dinghy) The 470 (Four-Seventy) is a double-handed monohull planing dinghy with a centreboard, Bermuda rig, and centre sheeting.Equipped with a spinnaker, trapeze and a large sail-area-to-weight ratio, it is designed to plane easily, and good teamwork is necessary to sail it well. The name comes from the boat's length of 470 centimetres (4.7 m; 15 ft 5 in). ... Preview: Dufour 470 The Dufour 470 includes a reverse chamfer curve on the topsides below the sheer line in addition to the larger forward hull volumes and a smooth fore and aft chine, though with pains to reduce wetted surface area. She comes available with 3, 4 or 5 cabin layout options, with up to four heads and a front or side galley, the layout choices can ... Dufour 470 Customisation. The Dufour 470 is available in three versions: Ocean, Performance and Easy. The base price for the Ocean is AUD$724,500. Our review boat was an Ocean version with traditional sail handling - slab reefing, winches on the coamings and mainsail sheeting near the helm. Alternatively, aspiring regatta participants can opt for the ... Boat Review: Dufour 470 Boat Review: Dufour 470. September 29, 2022 Post read time 6 min read. Share this post on: Annapolis may be the sailing capital of America, but if you looked around the United States Sailboat Show last fall, you would have no choice but to conclude most sailboats are now built in Europe. The Dufour 470 is a good example of a modern French ... 470 The 470 is sailed in more than 60 countries. Spinnaker: 140 sq. ft. 1 Trapeze. ... 1997), states that a boat with a BN of less than 1.3 will be slow in light winds. A boat with a BN of 1.6 or greater is a boat that will be reefed often in offshore cruising. Derek Harvey, "Multihulls for Cruising and Racing", International Marine, Camden ... Boat Review: Dufour 470 Boat Review: Dufour 470. Sep 28 2022. Kraken. Annapolis may be the sailing capital of America, but if you looked around the United States Sailboat Show last fall, you would have no choice but to conclude most sailboats are now built in Europe. The Dufour 470 is a good example of a modern French performance cruiser. Dufour 470 Technical specifications - Dufour 470. Construction site : Dufour. Architect : Felci Yacht. Boat type : Sailboat. The Dufour 470 is renowned for its exceptional qualities that make it a standout sailing yacht. It excels in terms of performance, offering impressive speed, agility, and responsiveness with its well-designed hull and sail plan. Lagoon 470 Catamaran Sailboat Review A good part of the reason for the success of the Lagoon 470 lies in how effectively the builder and design team, rather than simply starting from scratch, used this accumulated history in the evolutionary design and construction of a new sailboat. With an overall length of over 47 feet and nearly 26 feet of beam, there's room on deck and ... 470 Sailing KEIJU OKADA / MIHO YOSHIOKA WINNERS OF 2024 470 JAPAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. read more . 20 Aug 2024 KINGS OF THE LIGHT WIND: LARA VADLAU AND LUKAS MAEHR, OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS! read more . ... Sail Sydney 2024. Woollahra Sailing Club. 06 Dec - 09 Dec. VISIT EVENT WEBSITE. 18. DEC 2024. Sail Brisbane. Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. 18 Dec - 21 ... 470 470 is a 15′ 5″ / 4.7 m monohull sailboat designed by Andre Cornu and built by Fountaine Pajot, MacKay Boats Ltd., Parker Yachts, Nautivela, and Mader Bootswerft starting in 1963. ... The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x ... Catalina 470 Bought my C470 in April, and love it. Wife and I now live aboard full time, it's really great for that. Only real complaint is that it has remarkably little storage for a boat of its size, and you have to get very creative in where and how you store things. Our boat came with the captain's chairs in the salon, but they take up way too much room, and further reduce storage. Ausail Marine Group The displacement of the 470 is 11,794kg, with an additional 340kg in the shoal-draft version. For stability, the deep-keel makes more sense, of course. TWO CREW IS ENOUGH As for user-friendliness, two people can easily sail the Catalina 470. All lines lead back along the cabin top through Lewmar clutches to the cockpit. Catalina 470 Catalina 470 is a 47′ 8″ / 14.5 m monohull sailboat designed by Gerry Douglas and built by Catalina Yachts starting in 1998. ... Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay). D: ... Quick Look: Hanse 470e The second model offered by Hanse in its updated "e" series is the 470e, which shows off well the crisp deck styling and gets a real big-boat look with its flush foredeck. Anchoring gear is tucked under a hatch in the foredeck to keep it from spoiling the lines, and from snagging on lines, not that there are many for it to tangle with-the ... 2022 Dufour 470 Ocean review 2022 Dufour 470 Ocean review The Dufour 470 is an ideal coastal cruiser with a decent turn of speed when needed. ... Our review boat was offshore-ready with a spray hood and bimini fitted with 1200 watts of solar panels, and a hinged swim platform. Of note, the main hatch providing access to duck below uses fashionable saloon-style doors rather ... CATALINA 470 It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5 470 Forum Free Classified Ads for the 470 Sailboat. Post your for sale, wanted, or crew request ads here. Threads. 2. Messages. 6. For Sale Sails for Sale. Jul 4, 2024. CNP. catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht