Dufour 1300 Information, Review, Specs

The Dufour 1300 was in production from 1973 to 1976, emerging at a time when the IOR rating system heavily influenced sailboat design, particularly in the popular quarter-ton class. Michel Dufour, a passionate racing sailor and engineer, founded Dufour Yachts in 1964 with the goal of creating high-quality, ready-to-sail production boats using the then-revolutionary material, fiberglass. This ethos of robust, efficient construction was applied to the 1300, which, like other Dufour models of the era, featured solid fiberglass hulls and meticulously crafted fiberglass decks. The design intent was clear: to create a quick and responsive racer capable of excelling in the highly competitive IOR quarter-ton circuit. Notably, boats to this same design were also built in Poland, indicating the design's wider influence.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As an early IOR 1/4 ton racer, the Dufour 1300, with a length overall of just under 24 feet (23.88 ft), was inherently designed for agility and speed. While traditional performance ratios are often applied to larger cruising vessels, the 1300's classification speaks volumes about its intended use and capabilities. Its fin keel configuration, a classical design choice for racing yachts, is effective in providing a low center of gravity, which contributes to its stiffness and ability to carry sail in stronger winds. This design allows the Dufour 1300 to stand up to its canvas and maintain a good angle of heel, translating into efficient upwind performance and responsive handling, characteristic of a boat built for competitive sailing.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its primary role as a quarter-ton racer from the early 1970s, the interior accommodations of the Dufour 1300 were designed to be functional and relatively simple, prioritizing sailing performance over extensive cruising comfort. While specific detailed layouts are scarce, boats of this type and era typically featured a basic arrangement that included a V-berth forward, a small salon area, and often a rudimentary galley and a marine head. Dufour Yachts generally aimed for "unprecedented interior comfort and smart design" even in their earlier models, implying a practical use of the available space. Owners of the Dufour 1300 would likely have found a compact but efficient living space suitable for weekend trips or short-term cruising, rather than extended liveaboard or offshore passages.