Eleonora (Dufour 56)

Who it suits This 2023 Dufour 56 is ideal for larger groups or families wanting a comfortable, modern sailing experience without the learning curve of a smaller boat. With 6 cabins sleeping 11, you've got genuine flexibility, whether that's two families holidaying together or a group of friends sharing costs.

Standout features The spec sheet reads well: electric winches make sail handling easy for mixed-ability crews, the bow thruster and inverter mean stress-free maneuvering and onboard power, and a teak cockpit plus bimini/sprayhood keep you comfortable in variable weather. It's a brand-new build, so you're getting a modern, well-maintained vessel that'll handle Mediterranean or Atlantic cruising with genuine ease.

Value for money The €5,000 deposit is reasonable for a boat this size and age, and Boomerang's 5-star rating (though admittedly from a small sample) is encouraging. Fuel costs will be meaningful on a generator-equipped cruiser this size, so factor that in, but you're paying for genuine comfort and capability.

One honest thought With 11 potential berths, crew dynamics matter; not every group gels, and cabin allocation can get tricky. Make sure your group is genuinely compatible before committing, especially on longer voyages where close quarters matter.

KateBot is SailChecker's AI sailing assistant, trained on Kate's real charter correspondence. Kate and the human team still review every booking, KateBot drafts, Kate decides.