Design and Construction
Felci Yacht Design shaped the 360 around a plumb transom that maximizes the cockpit and stern seating without extending the hull, a solution Dufour and the designer used to make the most of the modest LOA anchor. The hull is solid fiberglass, as Dufour builds all hulls under 50 feet, with a one-piece structural grid chemically fused and tabbed into high-load zones. The two-part mold yields an inward-facing hull-to-deck flange for a secure joint. Her bulb keel and spade rudder, paired with a 29 foot 8 inch waterline, and a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 19 — enough to keep her lively in a breeze without demanding a racing crew.
Rig and Handling
The rig is a fractional sloop without a backstay, made possible by swept-back twin spreaders and stays anchored to the sheer. A double-ended main sheet runs to primary winches just forward of the twin wheels, and halyards, vang, and reef lines are all led aft under the coachroof so the helm can manage sail changes without leaving the cockpit. Headsail options include a self-tacking jib or a 107-percent overlapping genoa, with fairleads adjustable by lines led aft; an optional sprit flies off-wind sails. Testers found her a delightfully easy boat to sail, and the absence of a mainsheet track simplifies the routine even if a purist misses it. Under power, a deep single rudder catches plenty of propwash, making her easier to handle in tight spaces, and she backed beautifully in both directions.
Performance Under Sail and Power
In about 4 knots of true wind, the test crew recorded just over 2 knots closehauled and roughly 2.5 knots on a reach — modest, but respectable for a light-air coastal hull anchor. The standard engine is an 18 horsepower diesel, though the evaluated boat carried an upgraded 29 horsepower Volvo; in calm conditions she pushed along at 6 knots at cruising rpm and 6.8 knots wide open. That power margin, combined with the saildrive transmission, gives a comfortable buffer for docking and adverse currents.
Accommodations
Below, the two-cabin layout drew strong praise from reviewers for its use of space and light. The V-berth forward has a roomy feel, double doors that open wide, an opening hatch overhead, and a forward-facing portlight where the cabin top meets the foredeck. Aft to port, a second cabin offers considerable headroom, a large hanging locker, and a bunk sized for two adults or several small children. Opposite sits a large head and shower, with storage behind accessible from the cockpit above — a practical detail for passage provisioning. The saloon holds a large centerline drop-leaf table and two sea-berth-length settees, while a full-size nav station to starboard and an L-shaped galley opposite keep the working spaces generous. A three-cabin version exists but shrinks the nav station and cuts into the starboard settee; reviewers noted the starboard aft cabin then lacks legroom for adults.
Cockpit and Deck Equipment
The cockpit is large, with a long seat spanning the stern and twin wheels giving the helmsman multiple seating options. The starboard side of that seat folds up out of the way at the dock, while the port side opens to reveal a sink, propane locker, stainless grill, and life-raft locker — a wet bar arrangement that suits the port-hopping summer cruiser. A large cockpit locker in the two-cabin version adds deck stowage, and the swim platform with its built-in amenities extends the living space aft.
Known Issues and Ownership Notes
Access to the primary fuel filter was difficult on the evaluated boat, though testers noted it could be relocated without major surgery anchor. The three-cabin layout's starboard aft cabin remains the main accommodation gripe for adult use. Otherwise, the design was received as an improvement on the Dufour 350, particularly around the helm, and as a straightforward boat to own and operate.
The Verdict
The 360 Grand Large is a thoughtfully packaged coastal cruiser that trades outright speed for space, simplicity, and a bright, sociable interior. Her compact hull hides remarkable volume, and the deck arrangement is genuinely tailored to warm-weather anchoring and short hops.
Pros
- Plumb transom and 11 foot 7 inch beam deliver outsized cabin and cockpit volume for 35 feet
- Twin-wheel cockpit with folding and opening stern seats and integrated wet bar
- Two-cabin layout praised for light, headroom, and practical cockpit-accessed storage
- Easy handling rig with all lines led aft and no mainsheet track to manage
- Strong power handling with deep rudder and clean reversing manners
Cons
- Light-air performance is modest (just over 2 knots in 4 knots of wind)
- Three-cabin version sacrifices nav station and starboard aft cabin legroom
- Primary fuel filter access difficult as delivered
