1998 Dufour 45 Classic, 70.000 EUR

1998 Dufour Classic 45 for Sale
PUNGA – PROVEN OFFSHORE CRUISING YACHT

A proven transatlantic cruising yacht with extensive Mediterranean cruising history, thoughtful upgrades, exceptional storage, and just three private owners from new. Never chartered.

Asking Price: €70,000 (reduced)
Indicative (Italian) VAT-paid equivalent: ~€85,400

PUNGA is a well-maintained 1998 Dufour 45 Classic, set up for coastal cruising and offshore passagemaking. Widely regarded as one of the most respected French production cruising yachts of her era, the Dufour 45 Classic combines responsive sailing performance with a comfortable cruising layout and exceptional storage capacity.

She is a proven cruising yacht with a three-cabin, two-head layout, generous storage and the balanced sailing qualities that have made the Dufour 45 Classic a respected choice among cruising sailors. Together, these features make life aboard comfortable and make her well suited to extended cruising.

Built in France, PUNGA retains her original Dufour manufacturer-issued CE certification and documentation. She has had just three private owners from new and has never been chartered.

For buyers looking for a liveaboard or extended cruising platform, PUNGA offers the space, storage and self-sufficiency that make day-to-day life aboard straightforward.

Powered by a reliable Volvo Penta MD22P diesel with approximately 2,000 engine hours, PUNGA has a documented cruising history spanning the U.S. East Coast, an Atlantic crossing via the Azores, and extensive Mediterranean cruising from Portugal to Southern Italy. Her documented cruising history makes her especially attractive to owners seeking a yacht proven in real cruising conditions rather than one equipped only for coastal use.

Since arriving in the Mediterranean in 2021, she has cruised every sailing season before being professionally hauled and stored ashore for the off season, significantly reducing UV exposure, marine growth and general wear while allowing regular inspection and maintenance.

Mediterranean Cruising Advantage
PUNGA is US-flagged and currently in Temporary Admission (TA) status. Having entered the Mediterranean in 2021, she retains substantial remaining Temporary Admission time for eligible non-EU owners, allowing many more years of Mediterranean cruising before any importation decision would typically be required.

For buyers considering permanent EU importation, this Dufour retains her original Dufour-issued CE certification and documentation, and the broker can provide guidance on the importation process and associated costs.

Cruising Equipment
She is equipped for straightforward cruising and offshore self-reliance. The onboard setup includes a Hydrovane windvane self-steering system, a Raymarine navigation suite with chart plotters, autopilot and AIS, and an upgraded solar charging system producing approximately 800W for greater energy independence underway and at anchor. Together, these systems support greater independence underway and at anchor.

On Deck
On deck, an electric windlass, Delta and Plow anchors, para-anchor, full blue Sunbrella cockpit enclosure with Isinglass panels, bimini, a 4 × 6 m (13 ft 1 in × 19 ft 8 in) boom awning, sprayhood and deck shower provide comfort and confidence in a wide range of cruising conditions. Included in the sale are a West Marine PHP 310 inflatable tender with Mercury 5hp outboard.

Interior
Below deck, PUNGA offers the layout and volume that have made the Dufour 45 Classic popular with cruising owners. She has three double cabins, two heads, a generous saloon with an additional berth, and a dedicated navigation station. Both heads are now fitted with single-button electric-flush marine toilets, and a 10,000 BTU self-contained air-conditioning unit was installed in 2026.

The galley includes a two-burner stove, oven, stainless steel sink and Isotherm ASU refrigerator/icebox, with over 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) of headroom and teak joinery throughout.

A particular strength of the Dufour 45 Classic is her storage capacity, with abundant lockers, cupboards and dedicated stowage throughout the boat. That makes her well suited for liveaboard use, extended cruising, or carrying spare parts, provisions and gear for longer passages.

Safety & Sail Inventory
Prepared with offshore safety in mind, PUNGA is equipped with an EPIRB, MOB recovery system, radar reflector, multiple electric and manual bilge pumps, fire extinguishers and lifejackets. The rig has been professionally maintained, including a mast-down inspection and forestay replacement in 2021, followed by a further standing rigging inspection in 2026.

Her sail inventory includes a mainsail, genoa, an unused North Sails inner-stay jib purchased in 2026, and an asymmetrical cruising spinnaker, offering a versatile setup for both coastal and offshore cruising.

Summary
Combining the well-known sailing qualities of the Dufour 45 Classic with careful private ownership, cruising upgrades, a strong maintenance history and a proven transatlantic cruising record, PUNGA represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a capable, well-equipped offshore cruising yacht, equally suited to Mediterranean cruising, Atlantic passagemaking and extended liveaboard use.

Currently berthed at Nautica Ranieri in Bari, PUNGA is available for immediate inspection and ready for her next owner. Seller is willing, by separate agreement, to deliver the yacht to Montenegro or another mutually agreed location to facilitate a non-EU closing.

Viewings are welcomed by appointment.

Highlights
Three private owners from new – never chartered
Proven transatlantic cruising history
Original Dufour manufacturer-issued CE certification & documentation
Cruised every Mediterranean season since 2021; professionally wintered ashore annually
Substantial Temporary Admission time remaining for eligible non-EU owners
Hydrovane windvane self-steering system
Raymarine navigation suite with AIS & autopilot
Rig professionally maintained; mast-down inspection and forestay replacement (2021), standing rigging inspection (2026)
Volvo Penta MD22P diesel (~2,000 engine hours)
Excellent storage capacity for extended cruising

Cruising History
Built in France (1998)
Cruised U.S. East Coast
Atlantic crossing from New York via Azores
Extensive cruising in Portugal, Spain, the Balearic Islands, Corsica, the French Riviera and Italy
Cruised every Mediterranean sailing season since 2021
Professionally wintered ashore each year

Construction

Fiberglass hull
Non-slip deck
Fin keel
Lead keel material
Spade rudder
Wheel steering
Last structural survey September 2025
Fresh International Micron 350 antifouling
Full Velox treatment applied to the saildrive

Machinery

One Volvo Penta MD22P engine, original from 1998

Engine hours 2000 as of 4 November 2025
Saildrive 150 gearbox
Serviced every 100 hours or annually with original Volvo Penta oils and filters

Electrics

Onboard voltage 12v, 24v, 110v and 220v
Victron battery charger
Victron inverter with 3,000W output
Solar charging system upgraded to approximately 800W
Two shore power cables
Electrical system rewired and upgraded in 2022
Three Victron lithium domestic batteries approx. 90Ah (installed 2022)
One marine gel engine battery 70Ah (installed 2022)
Lofrans windlass from 1998

Tankage

Fuel capacity 385 litres via one aluminium tank
Two plastic freshwater tanks
Two plastic holding tanks

Rig and Sail

Sloop-rigged vessel
Selden Sparcraft aluminium spars
Full mast-down rig inspection completed in 2021
Forestay replaced in 2021
Standing rigging inspected in 2026
Retractable 12mm bowsprit
Spinnaker boom fitted in 2022

Winches include two Lewmar 55 CST primaries, two Lewmar 44 CST spinnaker winches and two Lewmar 32 CTS halyard winches

Sail wardrobe includes a white Dacron mainsail (three-reef, over 10 years old), a white Dacron 130% genoa (over 10 years old), an orange Dacron storm jib from 2022, an orange asymmetric Riff-top sail (over 10 years old), and an unused North Sails inner-stay jib purchased in 2026

Accommodation

Three double berths excluding the saloon
Three cabins excluding the saloon
One saloon berth
Two heads
Both heads fitted with single-button electric-flush marine toilets
Navigation desk fitted
Fabric upholstery
Medium-tone wooden interior joinery
Average headroom 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)

Domestic

Two-burner Stoke cooker
One oven
One BBQ grill
Two hobs
Stainless-steel single galley sink
12v fridge with Isotherm ASU ice box
Full cutlery and crockery
Full set of cooking utensils
Music system fitted
10,000 BTU self-contained air-conditioning unit installed in 2026

Deck

Delta 25kg anchor with 100m chain
Plow 20kg anchor with 20m chain and rope
Para anchor purchased in 2021
Lofrans electric windlass
Six fenders
One boathook
Sprayhood fitted
Bimini or sun awning fitted
Deck shower fitted
Blue Sunbrella Isinglass enclosure and bimini top

Navigation

Raymarine binnacle compass
Raymarine radar
Icom VHF
Raymarine AIS fitted in 2021
Hydrovane self-steering system
2021 Raymarine Axiom 9in chartplotter
2022 Raymarine Axiom 12in chartplotter
2021 Raymarine M2 EVO 100 autopilot with drive unit 2
2021 Raymarine ST60 wind, depth and speed instruments

Tender

West Marine PHP 310 inflatable tender
Tender length 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in), with capacity for five people
Mercury 5hp outboard serviced in 2025 (propane)
One set of davits fitted
Additional tender equipment includes a 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in) big-tube dinghy, Mercury 5hp engine and a 3.05 m (10 ft) Decathlon paddleboard

Safety

Three fire extinguishers
One fire blanket
Five electric bilge pumps
Three manual bilge pumps
Eight life jackets
Two jackstays
EPIRB fitted
Two radar reflectors
Emergency tiller supplied
Additional safety equipment includes a full MOB system

The condition or level of safety equipment on board is not to be negotiated on following survey. It is likely to be listed by most surveyors but is not structural or an integral working part of the vessel and is not to be used to further negotiate the price down after survey. We strongly suggest that for your own personal safety that when purchasing a yacht you provide new safety equipment rather than relying on second hand gear.

Should you become the new owner of this yacht then the responsibility to re-register or update official bodies for items such as EPIRB, VHF, MMSI or AIS becomes yours.