New Australian partnership brings Dufour to SailTime
Dufour Yachts will enter SailTime Australia’s managed fleet, opening new options for members and investors.
What’s Happening?
The Yacht Sales Co and SailTime Australia have announced a new partnership for May 2026.
The deal will see selected Dufour Yachts added to SailTime Australia’s professionally managed fleet.
The French-built Dufour range is known for performance, comfort and cruising capability.
Under the partnership, Dufour yachts will be available to SailTime Owner Investors and SailTime Members.
They will be offered through SailTime’s membership-based sailing programme.
The move creates a new pathway for people who want premium yacht ownership or regular yacht access.
It also reduces the full cost, complexity and time commitment linked with traditional yacht ownership.
For Owner Investors, the model allows them to buy a Dufour yacht through SailTime.
They can then enjoy regular personal access to their yacht in their chosen location.
At the same time, member income can help offset ownership costs.
These include berthing, insurance, maintenance and servicing.
For many prospective yacht owners, it offers a more practical and supported way to own a cruising yacht.
Why It Matters?
The partnership gives more sailors access to new yachts without the pressures of owning a boat outright.
For SailTime Members, it provides access to brand new Dufour yachts through a monthly fee.
That fee is typically less than the cost of a marina berth.
Members can sail from participating SailTime bases in Australia.
They can also use SailTime’s wider network across the United States and Hawaii.
The model is built around a fully managed “walk-on, walk-off” format.
That means members can focus on sailing, rather than maintenance and servicing.
They also avoid berthing, insurance and other ownership tasks.
For people considering a pre-owned yacht, the partnership offers another option.
Members can access a new, highly specified vessel without the upkeep challenges older boats can bring.
The model may also help future Dufour buyers make a more confident decision.
They can experience their preferred yacht before deciding if it suits their family and lifestyle.
By the Numbers
SailTime Members can enjoy more than 36 days of sailing each year through the programme.
Monthly SailTime membership fees typically range from $900 to $1,380, covering berthing, maintenance, insurance and operating costs.
More than 30,000 Dufour vessels are sailing worldwide, showing the brand’s long-running international reach.
Local Impact
The first stage will focus on SailTime Australia’s existing base network.
Dufour models from 37 to 44 feet will be progressively added across Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, Pittwater and Port Stephens.
SailTime Australia currently operates from Rushcutters Bay, Middle Harbour, Pittwater and Port Stephens.
The partnership may later reach more Australian sailors, with new bases planned for late 2026 and early 2027.
Potential future locations include South East Queensland, Melbourne and Perth.
South East Queensland will also see the partnership promoted at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.
Graham Raspass, Founder of SailTime Australia, will co-exhibit with The Yacht Sales Co on the Dufour stand.
The stand will be located on D Arm.
It will feature the new Dufour 41, which is available to both investors and members.
The Dufour 41 is also planned to join SailTime’s Middle Harbour fleet.
The flagship and recently launched Dufour 54 will also be on display on D Arm.
The Dufour 48 will be available for viewing at Boatworks.
Zoom In
The partnership brings together Dufour’s cruising yacht range and SailTime’s shared access model.
The Yacht Sales Co is the Australian importer of Dufour Yachts.
It said the partnership supports its goal of expanding access to premium sailing experiences.
It also backs different ownership and membership models for Australian sailors.
For SailTime, the partnership adds a recognised European yacht range to its growing fleet.
Graham Raspass said the Dufour range fits SailTime Australia’s expansion plans.
“As SailTime Australia looks to expand its fleet, the versatile Dufour range, particularly in the 37 to 44 foot category, is an ideal addition,” Mr Raspass said.
“These yachts offer our members quality, comfort and performance, while also being designed for ease of handling. This collaboration further strengthens our ability to deliver modern, SailTime-specific luxury yachts, supported by an experienced vessel management team.”
Steve Hobbs, General Manager: Dufour Yachts at The Yacht Sales Co, said the partnership gives buyers more flexibility.
“Dufour yachts strike an exceptional balance between performance, craftsmanship and onboard comfort,” Mr Hobbs said.
“In today’s market, partnering with SailTime allows us to offer buyers a flexible and professionally managed investment option. The yachts within the SailTime fleet are owned by individual investors, with SailTime providing a fully managed solution designed to help protect and maximise the value of those assets.”
Zoom Out
The partnership comes as shared boat access continues to offer an alternative to traditional ownership.
SailTime Australia was launched in 2009.
It is now celebrating 17 years of operation as a pioneer in the shared-boat-access market.
In 2026, SailTime USA is also celebrating its 25th anniversary.
SailTime members share access to professionally managed yachts through a unique online scheduling system.
The programme is designed to cover major ownership costs through monthly membership fees.
Through its Owner Investor Program, SailTime also provides yacht owners with regular local access to their boats.
Owners receive monthly income to help offset ownership costs.
They also receive exclusive membership benefits and complete professional management of their vessel.
The Yacht Sales Co brings more than 40 years of yacht sales and brokerage experience to the partnership.
It specialises in luxury sailing yachts, sailing catamarans and power catamarans.
The company is a subsidiary of the Fountaine Pajot Group.
It has a strong presence across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region through an extensive dealer network.
Its brand portfolio includes Fountaine Pajot, Dufour, Veya and Iliad.
It also represents select premium marques in key markets.
The company provides support for private ownership, charter placement, investment programmes and pre-owned yacht sales.
Dufour was founded in 1964 in La Rochelle, France.
The French yacht builder has spent more than 60 years designing performance cruising sailboats.
Dufour is now part of the Fountaine Pajot Group.
Its range covers sailing yachts from 37 to 54 feet.
The brand is recognised across Europe and the United States.
Its yachts are known for structural integrity, smart layouts and refined sailing performance.
Their ease of handling, contemporary design and cruising comfort make them suited to shared-use programmes.
They also retain the performance that today’s sailors expect.
What To Look For Next?
Selected Dufour yachts will be added to SailTime Australia’s fleet over time.
The Dufour 41 is planned for SailTime’s Middle Harbour fleet after being shown at Sanctuary Cove.
The partnership may also grow beyond its current base.
New SailTime bases are planned for late 2026 and early 2027, with South East Queensland, Melbourne and Perth named as possible locations.