cookjwm
Well-Known Member
Forumites opinions please on the newer Dufours... esp the 34 performance.I just wonder what the shoal keel one is like . Continue to seek new boat....just hard to see the one
Dufour
- Thread starter cookjwm
- Start date
flaming
Well-Known Member
Sail a 40 with the shoal keel, and it's a great boat. Fast, comfortable and kitted out with high quality deck gear so sailing it is a very enjoyable experience!
Even with the shoal keel it stands up to full sail well, not needing a reef to windward until over 20kts true.
Even with the shoal keel it stands up to full sail well, not needing a reef to windward until over 20kts true.
jonic
Well-Known Member
Hi Cookieboy
I have sent you a PM
I have sent you a PM
Duffer
Well-Known Member
I've got a 34 with deep keel. It's very good. PM me if you want or search back for previous posts.
trondh
New Member
The 325 has a ballastratio of around 28 (?) !
What about seaworthines ? Have I missed something here ?
What about seaworthines ? Have I missed something here ?
sailorman
Well-Known Member
20 kts true /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Neil_M
Well-Known Member
Can't comment on the very latest generation but I have a 2001 30 Classic shoal keel version with which I'm extremely pleased. The quality of the finish is well above average for an AWB and in 4 seasons' regular use in most weathers I've had no significant problems or breakages. Yes, she is relatively light and needs to reef early but handling is responsive and inspires confidence.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
I was very impressed with the Dufour 34 at the boat show. One of the few boats that didn't seem to have a glaring flaw letting the boat down.
However, also look at a secnd hand Elan 333 - a lovely performance cruiser. In the end I got an Elan 362 available locally
However, also look at a secnd hand Elan 333 - a lovely performance cruiser. In the end I got an Elan 362 available locally
cookjwm
Well-Known Member
Once again ,many thanks all for your input, always helpful and I will go and have a ood look at one now!
Duffer
Well-Known Member
Re: Dufour 34
I thought others might be interested in my reply to Cookie's PM so here it is:
Dufour 34 - good points: performance, handling, attractive and comfortable inside and out. In our view an ideal compromise between racer and cruiser. Not built as a bomb-proof blue water cruiser. Not as spacious as e.g. Jeanneau SO 35 or Beneteau 343 but performs better. Not a stripped out racer like X-35, First 34.7. Build quality is as good as any other mid-range AWB and any niggles have been very minor. Pros for us are offshore layout below i.e. no linear galley and mainsheet track on cockpit floor easily accessible from helm (as are jib sheet winches) (look at 365, 385 etc if you want cruisier layout). Overall verdict 95%: an AAWB (above average white boat!) See ST March 2004 and Y&Y Jan 2005 for reviews of production 34s in testing conditions (YM and YW tested pre-production boat in very light conditions but still liked performance - most quibbles have been sorted in anniversary/arpege versions). If you want a 3rd sleeping cabin I would go for the 40.
Definitely go for shallow keel if you sail in a shallow e.g. East coast location - I doubt the reduction in performance is all that great. To date we have only been overtaken by a well sailed X 362 and sailed straight past a Sigma 36 the other day. Performance (with deep lead keel) has been better than we expected even with a fixed prop.
I thought others might be interested in my reply to Cookie's PM so here it is:
Dufour 34 - good points: performance, handling, attractive and comfortable inside and out. In our view an ideal compromise between racer and cruiser. Not built as a bomb-proof blue water cruiser. Not as spacious as e.g. Jeanneau SO 35 or Beneteau 343 but performs better. Not a stripped out racer like X-35, First 34.7. Build quality is as good as any other mid-range AWB and any niggles have been very minor. Pros for us are offshore layout below i.e. no linear galley and mainsheet track on cockpit floor easily accessible from helm (as are jib sheet winches) (look at 365, 385 etc if you want cruisier layout). Overall verdict 95%: an AAWB (above average white boat!) See ST March 2004 and Y&Y Jan 2005 for reviews of production 34s in testing conditions (YM and YW tested pre-production boat in very light conditions but still liked performance - most quibbles have been sorted in anniversary/arpege versions). If you want a 3rd sleeping cabin I would go for the 40.
Definitely go for shallow keel if you sail in a shallow e.g. East coast location - I doubt the reduction in performance is all that great. To date we have only been overtaken by a well sailed X 362 and sailed straight past a Sigma 36 the other day. Performance (with deep lead keel) has been better than we expected even with a fixed prop.
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