Dufour 525 grand 'Large Sloop

TheSailingChannel brings you an in-depth look at the Dufour 525 grand 'Large, the flagship of the Dufour fleet.

At 52.5 feet length overall, the 525 combines sleek, elegant European styling by French and Italian designers with stiff, strong construction making her a safe and fast blue water cruiser.

The topsides feature a low coach roof, uncluttered teak decks, dual wheels, a German mainsheeting system operated at the helm, wide transom, and electrically operated swim platform.

Below decks, the mood is light and airy with a mix of mahogany and lighter textures illuminated by multiple ports and hatches. The owner can choose from 8 different layouts that include three to five cabins with either a longitudinal or u-shaped galley.

On the water, a deep V'd hull design delivers a favorable compromise between sea kindliness and speed while electric winches let the crew trim the sails with the touch of a button.

Winner of Cruising World Magazine's Best Full-Size Cruiser for 2009, the Dufour 525 is a sleek, classy vessel that can transport it's crew in safety and comfort anywhere its skipper chooses to sail.