History of Dufour

Dufour T7 - One of the smallest centre-cockpitoffshore work. The cockpit is well laid out, with all
designs widely available, at 22ft. The T7 appeared inthe essentials within easy reach of the helm - a
1980 and sold 250 in two years. With two berths inbonus for short-handed sailing.
the saloon and two in the aftercabin, reached via theDufour 31 - Another highly successful model, selling
cockpit, the T7 is popular as a family cruiser.more than 900 from 1973 onwards, the most striking
Today, the company builds cruiser-racers from 34ftfeature is her clipper bow. Like many Dufour yachts
to 45ft and 'pure' cruisers from 32ft to 50ft. Most ofshe was innovative for her time, with a spacious,
the hulls are designed by Umberto Felci and thesix-berth interior (including a quarter berth and a
interiors styled by Patrick Roseo.dinette double) and a 1.9m headroom.
Dufour T7 - One of the smallest centre-cockpitDufour 32 Classic - The 32 Classic was launched in
designs widely available, at 22ft. The T7 appeared in1988 and quickly gained reputation as a comfortable
1980 and sold 250 in two years. With two berths incruising yacht and remained in production until 2004.
the saloon and two in the aftercabin, reached via theThe sailplan is moderate, with an overlapping genoa,
cockpit, the T7 is popular as a family cruiser.giving good average performance under sail for a
Dufour 27 - With very high freeboard and a windowmodern cruiser.
in the hull, this was a distinctive and popular cruiserDufour 3800 - This masthead-rigged fast cruiser was
from 1973. Most sales were in France. Under herthe replacement for the 31, launched in 1979 and
semi-flush decks is 15ft 11in headroom and fourdesigned by German Frers. Despite being an elegant
berths in a very bare, GRP-dominated interior.boat with far less plastic interior and sparkling
Dofour 1800 - Introduced in 1979 in succession to theperformance, sales were only moderate at 300.
Dufour 25, this 25-footer sold well - 200 boats wereDufour 4800 - Launched in 1981, this 35 footer from
launched in three years of production, with a choiceDufour was a substantially different creation to the
of lifting, shallow, standard or deep-fin keels. She iscompany's earlier models. Looking very much like a
typical of the middle years of Dofour design: agrown-up 3800, she could accommodate up to nine
full-bodied, high-volume hull topped by apeople, maintaining the French tradition for maximum
square-looking coachroof.crew berths. She had, in effect, an early
Dufour 28 - A late model from Dufour's firstmanifestation of an owner's suite, with the heads and
incarnation, designed by Jaques Faroux, this is still adouble berth forward of the main bulkhead.
strikingly modern and good-looking yacht.Dufour 34 - A sparkling performer which scooped the
Performance and handling are acceptable if she isEuropean Yacht of the Year award. This Umberto
kept upright, but she's not ideal for heavy-weatherFelci design from 2002 sports a fine, deep iron keel
passage-making. She was remarkable for her timeand a slim but very deep rudder, set on a sleek hull
(1983) in having two aft cabins in an overall length ofthat slips through the water with the minimum of
just 29ft.fuss and effort.
Dufour 2800 - Successor to the 27 in 1978, thisDufour 35 - Not Michel Dufour's most attractive
comfortable, docile family cruiser was the secondcreation, this flush-decked, beamy boat from 1972
most popular Dufour of all time: 1,300 were built overnonetheless managed sales of 450, thanks largely to
six years. At the time her looks were modern andthe enormous amount of space below desks and
refreshing - she effectively re-established Michelgood performance under sail.
Dufour's reputation for forward thinking.Dufour 35 Classic - Well-balanced and quick, the 35
Dufour 30 Classic - Simplicity is the essence of thisClassic is one of the lightest cruisers in her class,
entry-level cruiser, launched in the late 1990s. She isdisplacing just 4.5 tons. But she's sturdy too - Dufour
quick under full canvas, easy to handle, close-wingeddid not skimp on build quality. A combination of
and fairly well balanced to boot. The rig, whichmoderate freeboard, pleasing sheerline, low
supports a fairly large mainsail and a small,coachroof and reverse transom make her easy on
non-overlapping jib, was rather lightly built for seriousthe eye.