The captain of Queenboro'YC has one
He kindly allowed crew and I aboard while we waited for the tide
(don't ask!) Quite impressed below, especially the pumped central heating using house type rads.
Erm, this does not help does it?
I an very pleased with my 1979 Dufour 31. Strong construction, beautifully finished, and well thought out. Did a TransAt with previous owner. I think Dufour changed hands some time after 1979.
They have a reputation for being a lot of boat for the money. The only minus point ( and common to most Dufour models of that period ) is that some develop soft patches in the sandwich construction of the deck. Worth having a survey.
We have friends with one built in 1973 which they refurbished and sailed to the the Caribean/USA/Caribbean about 8 years ago 2 handed. They still live aboard whilst working as Skipper/Hostess on a huge charter Cat, eventually I believe they may continue cruising trans Pacific on the Dufour. Part of the refurb on purchase was to cure the spongy deck (drilled holes and ran resin in as advised by Surveyor) and to redo a bodged osmosis repair done by Berthon, and a repaint of the topsides. She looked like new when they left and still does! The layout is very good for long term cruising and the boat sails well. The mostly flush deck allows a dinghy to be carried fully inflated if required. Some were wheel steering, most were tiller steered.