Design and Construction
The Dufour 35 has a solid-fiberglass hull and a balsa-cored deck. The original review describes this construction as among the first fiberglass composites, with laminate thicknesses that are particularly generous by modern standards. The balsa sandwich in the superstructure lightens the topsides while keeping weight low, which the same source credits with improving righting torque.
An encapsulated fin keel carries roughly 2.6 tons of ballast against a total displacement of nearly 6,300 kg. The rudder hangs from a skeg and has a long, deep blade with a small surface area. With a beam of more than 11 feet, the hull is shaped as a stable, spacious cruiser rather than a lithe racing boat.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The Dufour 35 has a masthead sloop rig, with a 25-square-meter mainsail and a 49-square-meter medium genoa. Her heavy-air genoa measures 43 square meters, while the storm jib is 7.5 square meters. A second forestay at the bow allows yanks, foresails, and storm jibs to be set forward, providing practical options as the weather builds.
The original review calls her an affectionate upwind boat and says she excels in medium and sustained winds. She fully reveals her qualities once true wind speed rises above 12 to 15 knots. Beyond 20 knots, with the right headsail and proper reefing, she glides powerfully while remaining soft at the helm. The source describes her as a safe, extremely seaworthy boat capable of providing comfort in demanding seas.
Accommodations and Tankage
The Dufour 35 is listed as having one cabin and one head, yet the same authority says she can accommodate up to eight or nine people. Headroom is around 1.9 meters. The review characterizes her as a particularly marine boat with surprisingly abundant and comfortable volumes—a description that suits a layout that trades private cabins for open, sociable interior space.
The original tankage comprises 300 liters of fresh water and 130 liters of fuel, supporting extended cruising for a crew of that size.
Propulsion
The original engine is a 25-horsepower Volvo Penta MD2B. That’s a modest output against 6,300 kg of displacement, but it’s consistent with a boat designed around sailing performance rather than speed under power.
The Verdict
The Dufour 35 is a product of her time: heavily built, beamy, and quietly capable offshore. Her rig rewards experienced sail handling in strong winds. She isn’t a light-air performer by modern standards, but her interior volume, seaworthiness, and encapsulated keel make her a credible long-distance cruiser for sailors who value substance over sparkle.
Pros
- Generous hull-laminate thickness and a balsa-cored deck for stiffness and righting torque
- Encapsulated fin keel with roughly 2.6 tons of ballast against 6,300 kg displacement
- Seaworthy behavior and a soft helm in sustained and strong winds
- Abundant interior volume, around 1.9 meters of headroom, and berths for up to nine people
Cons
- Modest 25-horsepower Volvo Penta MD2B for the heavy displacement
- Single-cabin layout despite the high berth count
- Reveals her full sailing qualities only above 12–15 knots TWS
