Dufour 37 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Dufour builds the 37 at its Périgny headquarters near La Rochelle, and the yacht is a product of the yard's infusion approach: both hull and deck are formed by vacuum infusion, with the hull incorporating a foam core above the waterline and the deck injected with closed-cell foam. A moulded upstand forms part of the hull-to-deck joint and creates flat-topped bulwarks. The builder's forward-widened hull delivers exceptional volume for a yacht of this size, particularly in the owner's cabin, while the beam of 12 feet 6 inches yields a 3-to-1 length-beam ratio. A full-length chine just above the waterline, a plumb bow, and an integrated bowsprit give the hull a purposeful, current-generation cruiser profile. The keel carries a substantial ballast bulb for stiffness and stability, with a reported 27.6 percent ballast ratio against a displacement of 14,874 pounds.

Rig and Handling

The standard rig is a fractional sloop with a traditional full-battened mainsail rather than a furling main, and a bridle for the mainsheet in place of a traveler. The standard headsail is a self-tacking jib, though the 108 percent headsail is offered as an upgrade, sheeted with low-friction rings on barber-haulers rather than cars and tracks. Lines from the mast are led aft under deck mouldings, and standard hardware is just two Lewmar 40 winches on the coachroof. Three performance packages are available—Easy with the self-tacking jib, Ocean, and Performance—with upgraded winch and hardware features as the tier rises. The Performance package adds a deeper fin and adjustable backstays. Twin wheels command a single rudder. Writing in a sailing magazine review, test sailors found her quick and easy to steer upwind in 12 to 14 knots on Chesapeake Bay, and a separate publication's Solent trial in 16 to 20 knots noted negligible weather helm on a reach and a hull that punched through steeper waves while throwing little spray back at the crew.

Accommodations

The cockpit is spacious and fluid, with an exterior galley and aft "plancha" grill extending shared moments facing the sea. Below, natural light highlights light wood finishes and durable materials. The forward cabin features a true central island bed and a coachroof window giving a forward view when standing. The saloon carries long, straight settee berths and hullside ports, plus a substantial table hiding a sliding box seat. Two layouts exist: a two-stateroom version with one owner's cabin and one large aft cabin sharing a single head that is significantly larger than the three-stateroom boat's, or a three-cabin arrangement that can sleep eight. The three-cabin test boat reviewed by a magazine showed an enormous forecabin with an island bed, while the galley is styled with an all-Corian worktop and trim.

Engine and Systems

The standard engine is an 18.8 hp Volvo Penta with saildrive, and a 30 hp diesel is offered as the option, also on saildrive. During the Annapolis introduction, Boat of the Year judge Ed Sherman noted the test boat was among the quietest while motoring in its group, rivaling competitors costing significantly more. Tankage is 160 liters of diesel and 180 liters of water, supporting the boat's coastal-cruising brief.

The Verdict

The Dufour 37 is a well-resolved modern coastal cruiser that trades absolute length for volume and livability, with a Felci-designed hull that reviewers found genuinely quick and well-mannered in a range of wind speeds. The infusion-built structure, bulb-keel stability, and thoughtful deck layout make her an accessible family boat, though the modest standard winch count and self-tacker-focused rig will push serious sailors toward the upper packages.

Pros