Design and Construction
The very high freeboard gives an upright profile unusual for the length, with semi-flush decks and a window set into the hull. Hull and deck are solid fiberglass. The interior is a very bare, GRP-dominated space with 5ft 11in headroom and four berths, a pragmatic molded finish rather than a joined-wood cabin.
Rig and Handling
The Dufour 27 is rigged as a masthead sloop with a small mainsail and a large headsail, a foretriangle-biased plan that yields adequate cruising performance. The fin keel and near-34-percent ballast ratio let her stand up to canvas as a forgiving coastal cruiser rather than a speed-oriented design.
Accommodations
The GRP-dominated interior is very bare, with four berths and 5ft 11in standing headroom. The molded fiberglass is easy to clean and resists rot, but reads as utilitarian next to teak-fitted contemporaries of the era.
Known Issues
The early Dufours are getting a little tired; those not already refurbished will need it. The hull window relies on aged bedding and can leak cold air and water into the berths. The bare GRP interior shows every stain and crack, making cosmetic fatigue easy to spot.
Ownership and Refits
Production ended in 1979; most sold in France. A buyer should assume refurbishment is due if not done — engine, rigging, and window bedding are the usual suspects. The simple interior leaves little hidden structure to fail, and systems stay straightforward to reach.
The Verdict
A plainspoken 1970s cruiser, roomy for her length and easy to understand mechanically, but old enough that deferred maintenance is the expected state rather than the exception.
Pros
- Distinctive, popular design with 320 built
- High freeboard gives real volume and 5ft 11in headroom
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck, simple GRP interior
Cons
- Early boats are tiring and need refurbishment
- Hull window is a through-hull weak point
- Bare interior shows wear and lacks warmth
