cloud7
Well-Known Member
any views on this yacht , looked at one at the boat show , amd would appreciate honest opinions , thks
dufour 375
- Thread starter cloud7
- Start date
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Worry about build quality. Friend bought a new D34 a few years back and had a couple of major problems that needed sorting.
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
They have only been out since the end of last season..... So it will be a bit hard to find someone with any experience on one!
Saw one on the pontoon being commisioned in Plymouth at the end of last season.... looked a nice boat, but certainly bulky!
Her predecessors have always been well recieved... almost bought a 36 classic a few years ago.... and folks who I have met who own 365's seem to like them...
She is a beamy beast... nearly 4 meters and only just under 9 meters on the waterline....
I would have a clear understanding of the stability of her and ensure that she is suitable for what you want to do..... Certainly the 325 and the 36 classic had a not great AVS.....
There were some very very good deals going on 365's at the end ... stock boats were being heavily discounted... I know that Plymouth had one at a amazing price... so may be a good idea to check if there is still one of those kicking around stock for a good deal?
I am sure that it would make a nice family cruiser, Overall I think that Dufour build nice boats.
Saw one on the pontoon being commisioned in Plymouth at the end of last season.... looked a nice boat, but certainly bulky!
Her predecessors have always been well recieved... almost bought a 36 classic a few years ago.... and folks who I have met who own 365's seem to like them...
She is a beamy beast... nearly 4 meters and only just under 9 meters on the waterline....
I would have a clear understanding of the stability of her and ensure that she is suitable for what you want to do..... Certainly the 325 and the 36 classic had a not great AVS.....
There were some very very good deals going on 365's at the end ... stock boats were being heavily discounted... I know that Plymouth had one at a amazing price... so may be a good idea to check if there is still one of those kicking around stock for a good deal?
I am sure that it would make a nice family cruiser, Overall I think that Dufour build nice boats.
goosewing
Well-Known Member
A friend Vic who is on YBW has one and has sailed it to the Med, i believe he's in Morocco at the moment. I'll see if i can contact him to reply here.
cloud7
Well-Known Member
[thanks for that the 375 is 11.30m by 3,85m , crusig are would be portugal and canaries, do you guys think she would be ok in these waters thks
QUOTE=photodog;2791859]They have only been out since the end of last season..... So it will be a bit hard to find someone with any experience on one!
Saw one on the pontoon being commisioned in Plymouth at the end of last season.... looked a nice boat, but certainly bulky!
Her predecessors have always been well recieved... almost bought a 36 classic a few years ago.... and folks who I have met who own 365's seem to like them...
She is a beamy beast... nearly 4 meters and only just under 9 meters on the waterline....
I would have a clear understanding of the stability of her and ensure that she is suitable for what you want to do..... Certainly the 325 and the 36 classic had a not great AVS.....
There were some very very good deals going on 365's at the end ... stock boats were being heavily discounted... I know that Plymouth had one at a amazing price... so may be a good idea to check if there is still one of those kicking around stock for a good deal?
I am sure that it would make a nice family cruiser, Overall I think that Dufour build nice boats.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=photodog;2791859]They have only been out since the end of last season..... So it will be a bit hard to find someone with any experience on one!
Saw one on the pontoon being commisioned in Plymouth at the end of last season.... looked a nice boat, but certainly bulky!
Her predecessors have always been well recieved... almost bought a 36 classic a few years ago.... and folks who I have met who own 365's seem to like them...
She is a beamy beast... nearly 4 meters and only just under 9 meters on the waterline....
I would have a clear understanding of the stability of her and ensure that she is suitable for what you want to do..... Certainly the 325 and the 36 classic had a not great AVS.....
There were some very very good deals going on 365's at the end ... stock boats were being heavily discounted... I know that Plymouth had one at a amazing price... so may be a good idea to check if there is still one of those kicking around stock for a good deal?
I am sure that it would make a nice family cruiser, Overall I think that Dufour build nice boats.[/QUOTE]
cloud7
Well-Known Member
titsey
Member
Dufour 375
Saw the 375 at LIBS too.
Liked it but thought frankly the interior wasn't as good as my 325 GL which is an excellent sea boat (unintentionally been out in 3 full gales and always felt safe and relatively comfortable). The shower/heads compartment seemed to take up a lot of room internally and both double berths didn't seem v wide?
Beware of misinformation on Dufour AVS's - for example the 325's published AVS is based on the shallow 1.6m keel (Class B rated) Mine is 1.9m deep and Class A rated with a suitably higher AVS.
One advantage common to all Dufours is that IMHO there is a greater menu of options for personal choice on the rig etc which is not replicated with makers of other AWBs. Mine for example has mainsheet traveller in cockpit for short handed sailing, a huge asymetrical spinnaker flown from an extended bowsprit, a loose footed fully battened main, storm jib and second forestay/jibhalyard etc etc. I may not race much nowadays but that doesn't mean I don't like to travel as fast as I can in a lively boat.
Agree that if there are any 365s left these may be well worth a look. Richard or Julian at Marco will be happy to advise!
Saw the 375 at LIBS too.
Liked it but thought frankly the interior wasn't as good as my 325 GL which is an excellent sea boat (unintentionally been out in 3 full gales and always felt safe and relatively comfortable). The shower/heads compartment seemed to take up a lot of room internally and both double berths didn't seem v wide?
Beware of misinformation on Dufour AVS's - for example the 325's published AVS is based on the shallow 1.6m keel (Class B rated) Mine is 1.9m deep and Class A rated with a suitably higher AVS.
One advantage common to all Dufours is that IMHO there is a greater menu of options for personal choice on the rig etc which is not replicated with makers of other AWBs. Mine for example has mainsheet traveller in cockpit for short handed sailing, a huge asymetrical spinnaker flown from an extended bowsprit, a loose footed fully battened main, storm jib and second forestay/jibhalyard etc etc. I may not race much nowadays but that doesn't mean I don't like to travel as fast as I can in a lively boat.
Agree that if there are any 365s left these may be well worth a look. Richard or Julian at Marco will be happy to advise!
sailaboutvic
Well-Known Member
I have to 385 which is now come on to 2 year old , I not just saying this because I own one but my True full opinion is that they a great boat , sail really well and well build , we cross the bay just last year in a F7 going a F8 without any concern,
with any new yacht you’re going to have problem and I had my fair share of them ,mostly silly ones . my only complaint is that the dealer didn’t really commission the yacht in the way they should had , and getting part from Dufour took a lot longer than one would had hope so , any one would had thought parts was coming from Mexico then just across the water in France. Five weeks in one case. It took away all the joy of owning a new year , having to fight with them to have job done under warranty .
it very much felt to me that once there had your money there wasnt interested in you any more , but from what I hear that the same with more of the Dealer in the UK ,
to be honesty I wouldn’t buy another new yacht I would rather buy one that 2 or 3 years old when all the problem been iron out ,
going back to what I said early I am very happy with my Dufour 385
good luck with whatever chooses you made .
if you like any more info please contact me
Vic
www.bluewatersailor2.webs.com
with any new yacht you’re going to have problem and I had my fair share of them ,mostly silly ones . my only complaint is that the dealer didn’t really commission the yacht in the way they should had , and getting part from Dufour took a lot longer than one would had hope so , any one would had thought parts was coming from Mexico then just across the water in France. Five weeks in one case. It took away all the joy of owning a new year , having to fight with them to have job done under warranty .
it very much felt to me that once there had your money there wasnt interested in you any more , but from what I hear that the same with more of the Dealer in the UK ,
to be honesty I wouldn’t buy another new yacht I would rather buy one that 2 or 3 years old when all the problem been iron out ,
going back to what I said early I am very happy with my Dufour 385
good luck with whatever chooses you made .
if you like any more info please contact me
Vic
www.bluewatersailor2.webs.com
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photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
I havent sailed down there.... 30Boat OTOH has a lot of experience in that neck of the woods.... that trip from Portugal to the Canaries is proper off shore work.... so I would suggest that you want to look carefully at the stability and suitability for that boat.... I am sure she would be fine under normal conditions... but of course how long is a piece of string?
I am sure that she would be a fine boat for cruising portugal or the canaries... and the trip there and back under benign conditions.... but if you are serious about offshore sailing then you need to think about a whole bunch of things.... She has a quite high center of effort.... and a low ballast ratio of well under 30% (26% for the deep keel....) That big lengthwise galley is another downer for serious work IMHO...
This is entirely my opinion.... I think she is a vey nice high volume family coastal cruiser.... and could with a bit of work do a ARC..... But if I was looking at a boat that I would be using regularly for offshore work I would not choose her.... If you compare her ballast ratio to boats like a Finngulf at 41% or a Arcona at 36% she doesnt compare well..... and look at her DL of 194 or so... She is light... but also not that stiff..(Though she will have good form stability....) so I would expect a not great AVS ... But this is really entirely down to you and how you will use the boat and what you feel comfortable with.
So I think a nice boat for coastal relaxed family cruising.... but not a great offshore boat.... but then this also is alot about your experience and expectations.
So, its a bit length of string thing....
Duffer
Well-Known Member
We bought a new D34 and have been very pleased with her. Only problems have been with kit supplied by other leading manufacturers such as instruments fitted in many boats both old and new i.e. nothing to do with Dufour. Good dealer support is essential with all new boats as there will always be a few minor glitches to sort out so it pays to keep the boat near the dealer for the first few months.
The 375 wil be perfectly suitable for fairweather sailing around Canaries etc. IMHO the performance range is a bit more suitable for offshore conditions as the rig is higher spec and galley is L shaped rather than linear etc.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
I chartered a 385 in France a couple of years ago, aside from the fact it was knocked about a bit as a charter boat it was not a bad boat, I liked the easy stern access with the twin wheels. I do like the layout of the 365, which I know had some good reports. However, I also sail on a Bavaria 36 and know other Bavarias, and I would say that the Bav probably represents better value for money.
Kurrawong_Kid
Well-Known Member
I believe I have read that the parent group of Grand Soleil and Dufour is in financial difficulty and that Bavaria have bid for the two brands. Might be prudent to make sure that your money is protected in an escrow account until delivery of the yacht; or that the dealer buys the yacht as a "stock" boat and you then pay the dealer.
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nickf
Well-Known Member
They (Dufour and Grand Solleil) are now owned by Bavaria.
minkysailing
Well-Known Member
May I correct you and say that Dufour and Grand Soleil are not in financial difficulties infact both re-financed about 2 years ago well before Beneteau and others and the purchase of Bavaria by Oaktree as they were near to going bankrupt. Dufour are actaully very cash rich at the moment which is why Oaktree have raised the necessary funds to allow Bavaria to acquire the two brands. Bavaria have not bought the two brands with their own money(they can barely service their own debts!), it is their owners.
jonic
Well-Known Member
I have worked and sailed with these guys in the past, they are both knowledgeable and customer focused. I had a quick look at the 375 at the show and it looked pretty good.
