Dufour 40

Valiant 9 is a Dufour 40, a performance cruiser-racer built by Dufour Yachts in France and designed by Umberto Felci (with Patrick Roséo contributing to early models) as part of Dufour’s successful 40-foot range. The Dufour 40 was introduced in the early 2000s and quickly became known as a yacht that blends efficient performance with comfortable cruising capability.

Measuring about 12.3 m (40 ft) overall with a beam around 3.9 m and a draft of approximately 2.1 m, the Dufour 40 has a fin keel and spade rudder arrangement that gives it punchy upwind performance and good directional control in a variety of conditions. Its moderate displacement — around 7.8 – 8.0 tonnes (7,800–8,000 kg), supported by ballast in the order of 2.7–2.8 tonnes — places it firmly in the performance cruiser category where speed and stability are balanced for both racing and passage making.

The Dufour 40 was conceived as a yacht that accelerates briskly in light to moderate winds, points well upwind and remains responsive through tacks and sail shape adjustments. In heavier conditions she is generally regarded as stable and manageable, with designers aiming to avoid overly heavy motion while retaining performance that suits coastal and offshore racing alike.

Below decks, the Dufour 40 offers layout flexibility with comfortable accommodation for cruising — often arranged as two or three cabins with generous berths and practical living spaces — making it a capable platform for club racing, coastal voyaging, and extended weekends away.

As Valiant 9, this Dufour 40 sails out of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria (RYCV) under owner Peter Dusting, participating in a range of events from club races to ORCV offshore races and regattas. Her mix of performance characteristics and cruising comfort reflects the core appeal of the Dufour 40 class: a capable, versatile yacht that performs well in fleet contexts while still offering a comfortable onboard experience for longer passages and multi-day events.