Hull Form and Deck Layout
The 310's hull carries its maximum beam well aft, giving the stern section a width not much smaller than the widest point of 3.30 metres — a striking number on a nine-metre boat. Those broad quarters underpin the twin-rudder, twin-wheel arrangement that defines the boat's personality. Critics have called the dual wheels unnecessary on a 31-footer, and the rotational inertia of the opposite wheel creates a slight echo when steering inputs are made, a minor but detectable quirk. Carbon-fibre wheels are available to reduce this effect, though they represent a meaningful upgrade decision.
The deck layout is genuinely functional: all sheets, halyards, and control lines are run to winches and cleats in the cockpit, making the 310 manageable single-handed. The bow is accessible, with enough deck width to bypass the shrouds safely, and the companionway opens onto a three-step staircase tall enough to descend without ducking — a thoughtful ergonomic touch often missing on small cruisers.
Rig and Sailing Character
The 310 carries approximately 50 square metres of upwind sail area. For context, that is only about six square metres less than the sail area of the Dehler 34, a dedicated performance cruiser of greater length. A self-tacking jib is standard equipment, making tacking and gybing essentially stress-free for short-handed crews, and a 110% genoa is available as an option for off-wind passages where the self-tacker's reduced area becomes a performance penalty on a broad reach.
Under sail the twin rudders earn their keep. Grip from the twin rudders makes the helm finger-light even when bashing upwind in 20–25 knots with a reef in. The Yachting Monthly test described the experience as fun and delightful to helm, and up near the top of her class. The one ergonomic compromise in the rig layout is that the mainsheet goes to a winch on the coachroof, placing it away from the helm — manageable but less than ideal when sailing hard. The boat carries an RCD Category B rating, certified for offshore passages up to Beaufort 8 and four-metre waves.
Saloon and Interior Concept
The interior is where the 310 makes its strongest case. The saloon is suffused by light through no fewer than seven different openings in the coachroof and freeboard — a combination of a large overhead hatch, two extralargedeckhead portholes, and freeboard ports. The effect is that the saloon appears larger than its physical dimensions, and the light-coloured veneers and fabrics reinforce that impression. Standing headroom reaches at least 1.80 metres throughout the full length of the ship.
The social configuration — two settees flanking a large folding table — is traditional but open. A full chart table with folding top and instrument panel is fitted on the starboard side aft, a feature increasingly rare at this size. The galley is compact but deliberately so: its tightness allows the cook to brace between galley and bulkhead in a seaway. The head is notably large for the class, with shower, pump toilet, and room for wet oilskins and stowage for small gear.
The forward cabin features a convertible bulkhead that can be folded open in three sections to merge the forepeak into the saloon, dramatically expanding the social space when the boat is sailed as a couple. The forward berth is approximately two metres in length with a head-end width over 1.70 metres — generous figures. The aft cabin, however, is a different story: it is clearly sized for one person or children rather than a cruising couple.
Known Issues
The 310's most serious failing lies below the companionway sole rather than above it. The engine compartment layout is genuinely problematic for routine maintenance: without removing the ventilation ducting, the fuel hand pump cannot be operated, and access to the fuel filter, oil filter, dipstick, and oil cap ranges from awkward to near-impossible. This is not a minor inconvenience — it is the kind of shortcoming that demands attention from whoever designed the engine bay and will frustrate any owner who services their own engine. Buyers should budget time and potentially money to improve access before the first offshore passage.
The aft cabin's limited size is the other persistent constraint. Designed for one adult or children, it cannot comfortably sleep two people without significant compromise, capping the 310's cruising crew in practice to two adults plus children.
Refit Potential
Standard 310s are specified in three trim levels: Day Sail, Liberty, and Adventure. Several of the features that most distinguish the boat — the overhead saloon windows and oak interior — are options rather than standard fitments, meaning used examples vary considerably. Buyers should verify whether the overhead glazing is present; it transforms the saloon experience and is worth seeking out. A ballasted centreboard version exists for shallower-draft cruising grounds where the standard 1.90-metre fixed keel would otherwise limit access.
The cockpit coaming was deliberately designed free of winches, leaving it safe for crew members unfamiliar with deck hardware — a sensibility that points toward the 310 as a platform for introduction-to-cruising ownership, which in turn makes clean, well-maintained examples with factory options (autopilot, chartplotter, genoa) the most practical candidates for a light refit oriented toward coastal passage-making.
The Verdict
The Dufour 310 Grand Large punches significantly above its waterline length in almost every category that matters for a couple or small family: interior volume, light, cockpit usability, and sailing character are all competitive with boats a full metre longer. The sailing experience is polished, the self-tacking rig makes it genuinely easy to manage short-handed, and Felci's interior design is among the most cleverly lit in its class. The engine access problem is real and should not be minimised — it is an engineering failure in an otherwise well-considered package — and the aft cabin is too small for two adults. Buyers who address the former before commissioning and accept the latter as a layout truth will find a capable, enjoyable coastal cruiser.
Pros
- Exceptional interior volume and natural light for a 31-foot hull
- Self-tacking jib and well-organised cockpit make short-handed sailing genuinely easy
- Twin rudders deliver precise, finger-light helm feedback
- Convertible forward bulkhead adds meaningful versatility
- RCD Category B offshore rating with a proven, wide hull
Cons
- Engine compartment access is poorly designed and requires modification for routine servicing
- Twin-wheel inertia echo is a detectable steering quirk unique to this configuration
- Aft cabin is practical for one adult or children only — not a true double
- Overhead saloon glazing and quality interior finish are options, not standard
