Dufour VS Beneteau or Jeanneau?? are Dufour better

[TiggerToo]

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Yes and I wonder where Citroens come from, as well /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

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but both Renault and Citroen are still going strong (cars and companies): how would they stand up in a comparison with British Leyland and Rover? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[TiggerToo]

Hi,
I own a Dufour 35 Classic (1998). She is regularly chartered and used by us as a family (see Feb issue of YM, p 74). The boat has had regular use, but also maintenance. She is fast, well equipped, and fitting and joinery have stood up well to teh time (9 years). I expect her to carry on, and I would not swap her with anything else out there - unless I won the the "Classsic" range was better finished inside than some of the current ones: get yourself a second hand offering - not mine as I am not selling!

Volvo: yes, parts are expensive. But I am not sure other engines really are that better.

 

[Sailfree]

Your reply is an example of why it is so difficult to compare boats even of the same make!

I had the 36 & 38 classic and I think the build quality superior to the modern 385 etc range of Dufours.

As I mentioned before the 34/40/44 range look good performance boats but ruined by having a Volvo engine.

I think Dufours would do well to offer a Yanmar option as this could potential substantially increase sales.

The person who bought my Dufour 38 Classic that I had already replaced the Volvo engine once (15months old)and the gearbox once (24 months old!)and the saildrive oil seal once gave up after further serious problems and re-engined the boat with a complete new Yanmar saildrive. No probs (except cost) and owner and charterers love it with the Yanmar.

You can either learn from others experience of buy you own!