Dufour 2800

[Keiron]

I am planning on buying a first boat for cruising and am interested in what the general opinion is on the Dufour 2800. I am planning on sailing on the SE coast so may look at the lifting keel version. Has anyone experience of these boats. What is the lift keel version like, will it dry out or has it a stub keel? I have a budget of up to about £18k and am looking for a boat with 5 berths, inboard diesel, minimum 27' and standing headroom. I will probably also look at the Hustler 30 and Elizabethan. Any other boats I should really be thinking about? Any advice gratefully recieved. Does anyone sailing on the East Coast (Ipswich area) have an opinion on the usefulness of a lifting keel for exploring the rivers along the E. coast?

Cheers Keiron

 

[mhouse]

Keiron
My last boat was a 2800 based on the Orwell. If you are interested in taliking about it I have PM'd you my number

Matt

 

[QuietFlight]

I was faced with a similar decision about 15 months ago, then narrowed it down to either Dufour 2800, Trapper 500 or Jaguar 27. I choose the Jaguar 27 as my wish list was the same as yours and would advise that you give it a look, it will fill all your criteria. A great sea boat, very strong performance especially to windward, 5 berths, inboard and at a very sensible price with good availiablity of boats on the market. Also a very good owners forum. My boat is based on the south coast, please pm me if I can help out in any way. Buying that first boat seems so daunting, now 14 months later there seems to be so much more experience to leverage. Good luck Keiron

 

[bendyone]

Have a look at a Hunter Horizon 26 with twin keels - ideal for drying out.

 

[Neil_M]

I have a Dufour 30 on the Deben & also considered another lift keeler having had a couple before, but don't regret going to a shallow fin. Better performance, less to go wrong and easier to get off the putty than a bilge keeler should you hit it. But then I don't go in for drying out and moor in deep water.

Only advantage other than drying out would be in skimming over shallows, but then if it is shallower than the 1.2M I draw I take the view that its best not to venture there in anything other than a tender...

Frequently sail in & out of the Deben & Orford River and my draft is not a limiting factor - again, if the bar is under 1.5M its no place to be anyway unless its slack LW in a calm IMO

Hope to see you on the water next season

 

[Keiron]

Hi All

Many thanks for the useful advice.

Keiron