New 48 Catamaran set to make its Australian debut at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
Sydney-based Performance Cruising Yachts is set to debut the company’s first catamaran at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), 19-22 May 2022.
Performance Cruising Yachts is the Australian and New Zealand distributor for Dufour Catamarans, formerly owned by Dufour Yachts and purchased by established Italian boat-builders JJL Catamarans in partnership with the Fozzy Group, owners of Under the Heavens Sailing Cruises in Croatia, in 2020.
The company’s first catamaran, the beautifully crafted Dufour 48, was designed by the revered and world-famous naval architect Umberto Felci, who continues to oversee production of the catamaran. The Dufour 48 Catamaran has spectacular outdoor living areas, designed specifically for comfort and entertaining. The huge flybridge with stair access from both starboard and port sides provides a separate area to relax and lie in the sun.
At the back, there is a wide L-shaped sofa, and in front of the helm, you’ll find a double sunbed. The central helm station is compact with winches nearby so that the catamaran can be operated entirely from the flybridge.
The air-conditioned interior is just as impressive, if not more so, with the 360-degree loft-style saloon opening onto the cockpit, with the sliding windows giving seamless integration from the galley to the cockpit table. The lounge area features another dining space with a dreamy lounge, navigation table and an island between the lounge and galley.
The four spacious cabins open off the saloon, all with queen size beds, plenty of storage, great headroom and an ensuite. There is also a skipper’s cabin accessed from the deck. All aspects of the interior have been designed with both luxury and practicality in mind, making it an entertainer’s dream and an incredible escape for guests onboard.
The contemporary design ensures a combination of style and performance to make for the perfect cruising vessel. The main mast has been placed towards the stern to allow for larger headsails, and the boom is more angled than in most monohulls. The self-tacking jib combined with the mainsail creates a total sail area of over 120m2.
Matt Hayes, owner and CEO of Performance Cruising Yachts, Olympic yachtsman and circumnavigator, is looking forward to showcasing the first catamaran from the brand, the Dufour 48.
“We have been selling yachts in the Australian market for 18 years and we are beyond excited to add this prestigious catamaran to our portfolio. “Using the experience I gained on my circumnavigation, the Dufour 48 catamaran at the show has been fitted out with all the equipment required for extended live aboard periods and world cruising. The liveability and the ease of handling make it the ideal boat.“We cannot wait to show it off,” Hayes concluded.
In more exciting news, Dufour Catamarans has announced a sister to the 48 Catamaran – the Cervetti 44. The first in the Cervetti Series, the 44 embodies the very latest in design and production techniques resulting in exceptional quality, style and unrivalled luxury. Developed in cooperation with the young team of Italian designers and engineers from yacht design studio Skyron, this catamaran combines all the characteristics one could wish for in a boat.
For more information on this Dufour 48 catamaran, come find the team at the SCIBS in May, contact (02) 9281 4422 or email
