70's Dufour 35

[Way]

There was a thread on this a while back and it looks like the boat is still out there for sale.

Anyone sailed one/owned one? They look substantial and are apparently well built and big for a 35 footer.

I'm trying to get the 2012 Sailing Today test as well, but am not having much luck with them.

 

[Angele]

There is a guy with one who posts on the "Dufour Yachts - Dufour Association" Facebook page. Based on the US E coast.

 

[V1701]

Can't comment on the 35 but I have a 1978 Dufour 29, very happy with her. More solidly built than a 1989 Jeanneau 30ft I had, has a second internal moulding throughout instead of horrible foam backed vinyl headlinings, encapsulated keel, skeg hung rudder, older interior design that gives a bigger saloon as not so much space given over to sleeping berths which suits me better. Quick boat, 4 tons where the Jeanneau was 3...

 

[30boat]

I picked up a new one in South France in the early 80s and sailed her to the Algarve. In those days my father owned an Arpege so the 35 seemed like a big ship to me. The boat is still around and in very god shape.She was very substantial and not a bad sailor at all. We had the feeling she could take anything the sea could throw at her. The accomodation is a bit weird by today's standards but works well.The saloon windows give a very pleasing ambiance in the saloon. The laminate on these boats is unusually thick so she should last forever.

 

[colhel]

I crewed on one from Bermuda back to the UK via the Azores and Bayona in 1997. There were 3 of us on board and apart from the lack of privacy she felt comfortable enough, we used the forecabin for storage only. Not sure if all had the same layout but on ours the Galley was immediately to Port with quite a substantial chart table to Starboard.
We got caught in some very rough sea between the Azores and UK hence the diversion to Bayona. I remember passing instructions from the Skipper who was navigating to the helmsman and as the wind and engine noise was so loud he couldn't hear. On the approach to Bayona at about midnight (just before the towns lights went out due to power cut) I remember saying to my mate that you see the clouds against the lights "they're not clouds" he said "they're waves". So yes, I agree with the above, it can handle the rough stuff.

 

[Way]

Thanks all - really helpful as always.

Like the idea of an encapsulated keel as well. Just need to persuade my better half

 

[Angele]

I've just had a look through the Dufour Association membership list and it appears to contain just two of the 1970s Dufour 35s (as distinct from the 1990s 35 Classic) - one on the west coast of Scotland, and one in France (on the River Rance).

 

[30boat]

I've just had a look through the Dufour Association membership list and it appears to contain just two of the 1970s Dufour 35s (as distinct from the 1990s 35 Classic) - one on the west coast of Scotland, and one in France (on the River Rance).

There are a few in Portugal and they sometimes come on the market.

 

[Mrnotming]

maritima-courtage.fr/?page_id=4663

Oops, one is sold!

There are a number of Dufour 35's in this boatyard.
They may not appear until after the liftout.

 

[Resolution]

I crewed on one in Hong Kong in the mid seventies , doing lots of weekend off shores and one 600 mile China Sea Race. With a breeze you could go anywhere up or down wind at around six knots boat speed, but never as much as seven! Certainly tough, we did one weekend out at sea in a gale, saw 60 knots wind speed for a while, no damage and little problem for the boat. For its time it felt vast inside.

 

[MPGworld]

Hi guys,

I need CE certificate of the yacht OR tonnage certificate OR builders certificate for our Dufour 35, year 73, hull no. 92. Where can I get documents if the boat doesn't have them?
[Inappropriate content deleted]

 

[Tranona]

Welcome.

Afraid you won't get any of them. CE did not exist before 1997. Tonnage certificate is only issued if the boat is surveyed and on the UK Part 1 register. A Builders Certificate might have been issued in 1975, but would have been part of the receipt to the first owner. There was no compulsion to provide any paperwork at that time.

You are in no different position from thousands of other owners of older boats that lack any form of paperwork except perhaps for Bills of Sale from previous changes of owners.

 

[causeway]

I owned one for 5 years and actually lived aboard. Didn't go far (N.I. - Scotland) but it was a great boat and had massive accommodations (for the age of boat).

Only issues were the high freeboard meant it was hard to berth in a crosswind, mast step and foredeck went soft as balsa cored.

Would have liked a wheel rather than tiller.

The coamings were high and safe and generally it behaved well.

I always felt safe even in a big swell.

Mine was re-engined with a beta 35 which meant it had plenty of poke in a seaway or when there was little wind.

It didn't take much wind though. Quite a lot of sail for the size.

The keel was encapsulated and not the most hydrodynamic. But strong.