Design and Construction
The 2800 has a high-volume hull with a neat, trim transom, flush and wide side decks and foredeck, and grabrails along the coachroof for secure movement on deck. Below the waterline, the hull is solid laminate, with generally well-preserved gelcoat.
The standard fin keel is long enough to let the boat dry out against a wall with ordinary care. Its draft is 4 feet 10 inches, while a shoal variant drew as little as 3 feet 11 inches. A small number of boats were also built to the deeper “Club Special” specification for enhanced performance.
A spade rudder hangs behind the keel. The tiller acts directly on an unbalanced blade, so the boat will bear up into the wind if the helm is left unattended.
Rig, Cockpit, and Handling
The rig is a typical development of 1970s Half Ton and One Ton Cup thinking: a small, easily handled mainsail paired with a very large overlapping genoa. The foretriangle measures just under 33 feet on the hoist and 11 feet at the base. Sail area comprises a 135-square-foot mainsail and a 190-square-foot genoa, for a total of 325 square feet.
Many boats were fitted with slab reefing led back to the cockpit. The mainsheet traveller originally crosses the companionway, however, which has implications for safety on deck and can become a snagging risk during tacks. Owners aware of the issue have relocated or modified the tackle.
Pleasing hull lines and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 32.7 percent gave the 2800 good performance with the standard fin keel. Yachting Monthly judged her a potent cruiser-racer in her day. The unbalanced spade rudder demands an attentive hand, but the tiller sweeps cleanly across a safe, well-protected cockpit with good footholds. The cockpit remains secure at sea, reflecting the design’s competition-derived pedigree.
Accommodation
Below, the 2800 was laid out by a racing enthusiast with cruising owners in mind. The saloon is bright and airy, with two decent single berths and a tight quarterberth behind the chart table.
Forward, the forecabin sleeps one adult or two children quite comfortably. A moulded heads and shower unit is sandwiched between the main bulkhead and the saloon.
The original galley included a two-burner gimbaled stove, with a Camping Gaz cylinder fixed directly underneath. Opposite, facing the heads, is a moulded plastic sink. A deep footwell gives the cook useful working space.
Machinery and Tankage
Period specification included a straightforward shaft-drive Volvo Penta MD5 diesel producing 8 horsepower. Tankage is 11 gallons of fuel and 36 of water.
Known Issues and Refit Priorities
The original gas installation placed the Camping Gaz cylinder directly beneath the gimbaled stove, without a drained locker. That arrangement doesn’t meet modern marine gas-safety expectations and is the clearest item for a modern buyer to plan to correct.
The mainsheet track over the companionway is another dated feature. It can snag during tacks, although some owners have relocated or modified the tackle.
The rudder’s tendency to round the boat up if the tiller is released is inherent to the unbalanced design rather than a defect. Even so, it affects how the boat must be handled and calls for an attentive helm.
Owners shopping for a 2800 will generally find solid-laminate hulls that have retained their gelcoat well. Cockpit-led slab reefing is common, while the Club Special deep-keel variant is worth noting for sailors interested in the sharper end of the boat’s performance envelope. Given the production volume, spares and comparative knowledge across the fleet are reasonably easy to come by.
The Verdict
The Dufour 2800 is a well-executed small cruiser-racer. Its high-volume hull, bright saloon, and practical berth plan make good use of 27 feet, while the racing-derived rig rewards an engaged crew.
The unbalanced spade rudder and companionway-mounted traveller are dated rather than broken. The original gas installation is the one clear feature that a modern buyer should plan to correct.
Pros
- High-volume hull with a bright, airy saloon and practical berth plan
- Standard fin keel can dry out against a wall; shoal and Club Special drafts broaden the boat’s appeal
- Solid-laminate construction, with generally well-preserved gelcoat across the fleet
- Racing-derived cockpit is safe and well protected at sea
Cons
- Unbalanced spade rudder rounds the boat up if the tiller is released
- Original gas cylinder is mounted directly beneath the stove and doesn’t meet modern safety expectations
- Mainsheet traveller crosses the companionway and can be a hazard in use
