ANNAPOLIS, MD, June 3, 2020 — French sailboat manufacturer Dufour Yachts announced Atlantic Cruising Yachts as its new U.S. dealer on Wednesday, covering New Jersey south through Florida.

Atlantic Cruising Yachts, one of the largest sailing yacht dealerships in North America, will have Dufour yachts arriving in Annapolis by August. The company plans for an arrival celebration and sea trials in the coming months and a large presence at the U.S. Sailboat Shows in the fall.

Christian Bent, CEO of Atlantic Cruising Yachts, said Dufour’s monohull designs are appealing to sailors who value performance during a Wednesday video news conference with Dufour Yachts’ executives.

“We feel Dufour really will have a strong position in the U.S. market,” Bent said. “We think that sailors that are buying monohulls today are wanting something more.”

Dufour Yachts boasts one of the world’s largest shipyards, based in La Rochelle, France. The company’s line of monohulls range from 31 to 63 feet, and emphasize performance, comfort, and responsive, intuitive design. Dufour’s announcement included plans for modifications to boat layouts to accommodate the North American market.

Atlantic Cruising Yachts will continue to represent catamaran manufacturer Fountaine Pajot, having recently been named Worldwide Dealer of the Year. Fountaine Pajot, which is also based in La Rochelle, France, purchased Dufour Yachts in 2018.

“This partnership is the next chapter of a long, highly successful partnership between ACY and the Fountaine Pajot family,” Bent added. “With their proven track record of bringing highly successful yacht designs to the market, Dufour will grow and prosper under Fountaine Pajot’s management. Dufour is already a leading brand in Europe, recognized for superior sailing performance, innovative designs, high quality build, and a higher level of fit and finish.”