Design and Construction
The hull has a hand-laid, vacuum-infused polyester skin over a foam core, with solid glass below the waterline. At the hull-deck joint, an inward flange provides a solid bulwark. Inside, an integral grid distributes loads from the rig and supports the forces at the mast step and chainplates.
The fiberglass decks have a non-skid finish. For owners who preferred a more traditional look, Dufour offered optional teak on the cockpit seats and sole, cabintop handholds, and toerail. Outboard chainplates and the absence of a backstay reflect the rig’s reliance on the deck-stepped mast and grid structure rather than a running stay aft.
Rig, Keel, and Performance
The Dufour 350 carries a 9/10ths fractional rig on a deck-stepped, tapered Seldén aluminum mast with double sweptback spreaders. A single elliptical rudder is responsive and maintains a good grip on the water, even at more dramatic heel angles.
The standard sail plan includes a traditional Elvström Dacron mainsail and a 95 percent self-tacking jib on a Facnor furler. The jib sheets to a straight track just ahead of the mast. A full-batten main was optional, as was a blade jib with adjustable inboard leads.
On the test sail, tacks were brisk and easy, with the self-tacker swinging smoothly through the foretriangle. In 15 knots of apparent breeze at a 45-degree angle, the boat reached 6.5 knots. Cracked off to 120 degrees, speed dropped to 5.9 knots.
Under power, the 29hp Volvo diesel drove the boat to 7.2 knots at wide-open throttle (3,000 rpm). A comfortable cruising speed was 6 knots.
The L-shaped cast-iron keel with bulb came in two drafts: 6ft 3in or 5ft 1in. That choice allowed owners to trade ultimate windward bite for better access to shallow water.
Interior and Accommodations
Dufour offered two layouts, both with a single head: either two cabins or three. The two-cabin version, often favored by American couples, provides room for a stall shower in the head. It also includes an aft-facing nav desk that shares a seat with the settee. The desk slides down on tracks and, with a cushion added, can extend the starboard settee or serve as a sea berth.
In the three-cabin arrangement, two cabins occupy the entire aft end rather than a single guest cabin to port. The V-berth master suite has double doors that visually open up the interior, while the standard Maobi wood finish keeps the saloon light.
To port, the L-shaped galley includes twin centerline sinks, a top-loading Isotherm fridge, and a two-burner Eno stove. Its Corian cover doubles as a serving tray, and the Corian counters have molded-in fiddles. A narrow locker between the oven and fridge holds oil and spices. Dufour’s signature wine rack sits beneath the floorboards at the companionway.
An opening hatch and two fixed acrylic ports in the headliner bring in light. Optional fixed Lexan ports were available in the companionway bulkheads.
Cockpit and Deck Gear
A large drop-leaf table dominates the center of the cockpit. It’s the same unit used on the larger GL 382 and has a padded, radiused aft edge to soften hip collisions. A center lid opens to reveal a shallow tray, while the table slides forward or aft to uncover either deep storage or a bottle holder.
Twin wheels with compasses help open up the cockpit and provide easy access to the primary Lewmar winches. Two additional winches and sheet stoppers are mounted on the cabintop beside the outboard hatches.
The aft seats hinge up and out of the way, and the reverse-cantilevered transom lowers to form a swim platform. Beneath the cockpit sole, two large lockers provide space for a liferaft to starboard and water toys to port.
An optional integrated composite bowsprit, or “delphiniere,” keeps the ground tackle clear of the stem and provides an attachment point for a gennaker. On the test boat, the Adventure package added a dodger, electric windlass, rigid boomvang, and other gear.
Verdict
The Dufour 350 Grand Large is a thoughtfully arranged small cruiser that offers more livability than her length might suggest. She also sails with surprising verve for a Grand Large model. Felci’s hull and rig balance straightforward short-handed handling with real performance, while the modular interior makes clever use of a compact footprint.
Pros
- Self-tacking jib and backstay-less fractional rig make tacking brisk and easy
- Integral grid and inward-flange hull-deck joint distribute rig loads solidly
- Two keel drafts suit both shallow-water and deeper-water cruising
- Versatile nav desk in the two-cabin layout converts into a sea berth
- Cockpit table includes thoughtful details such as a bottle holder and padded edge
Cons
- A single head in either layout limits privacy for three-cabin charter use
- Standard water capacity of 58 gallons may be tight without the optional tank
