At just over 39 feet overall, with a hull not quite 37 feet long, the 390 is a high-volume cruiser with broad shoulders and a modest rig. Even so, the sailing press found her unexpectedly lively. Umberto Felci is credited with drawing more performance from the boat than her statistics suggest, and Yachting Monthly judged her responsive, fun, and forgiving, rather than a stripped-out racer.
Design and Construction
Dufour builds the 390’s hull from hand-laid solid fiberglass laminate using NPG resin. The hull is laid up in open molds, while the decks are injection-molded in closed two-piece molds, a contrast in process that keeps the topsides consistent.
Lifting the cabin sole reveals a stiffening matrix and stainless steel backing plates for the keel bolts. The substantial, neatly finished joinery is made in-house by Dufour.
The topsides fall almost vertically to long chines that begin well forward. This shape maximizes interior volume before tucking into a narrower waterline. With its beam of just over 13 feet carried well forward, the 390 has noticeably broader shoulders than her predecessors.
A large fixed coachroof window abaft the mast brings plenty of light into the saloon. Wide side decks run all the way to the stern, allowing safe movement offshore.
Rig, Sailing and Handling
The 390 is a fractional sloop with a modest sail-area-to-displacement ratio of about 16.3 on the 100% foretriangle. Despite that figure, she sails surprisingly well in both light air and a breeze. Testers found her well-mannered and forgiving in typical cruising conditions, although she loses way quickly once the breeze dies.
A fixed bowsprit provides the tack point for an asymmetrical spinnaker. It also holds the anchor clear of the plumb stem, helping to avoid dings. Twin backstays are standard; a single bifurcated stay with a tensioner is optional. A traveler is fitted as standard.
Just forward of the twin wheels, a pair of Lewmar 40 self-tailing winches also handles the German-style split mainsheet. The standard self-tacking headsail is offered alongside an optional 108% genoa on Facnor’s FlatDeck furler, but the headsail tracks are too short when an overlapping genoa is flown.
Under power, the standard installation is a 30 hp Volvo Saildrive with a two-bladed fixed propeller. A 40 hp engine is available as an upgrade.
Cockpit and Deck Equipment
The drop-down transom opens into a large swim platform with an integral telescoping ladder. The stern also includes a dedicated life-raft locker, along with an outside grill and sink. Provision is made for an outside galley.
The folding cockpit table incorporates an ice chest with bottle holders, handholds and useful stowage for small items. Half-depth cockpit lockers sit on both sides. At the bow, an electric windlass is installed in a molded, self-draining chain locker.
The deck’s non-slip finish is less grippy than those of some rivals, a point worth noting underfoot in a seaway.
Accommodation
The interior is based around flexible three-cabin planning. The reviewed boat had three cabins and two heads. Alternatives include a massive athwartships double in the stern, a three-cabin, three-head arrangement with a linear galley to port, and a newer single-head version.
Moabi joinery is standard, with teak or light oak available. The L-shaped galley has Corian covers over the sink and two-burner stove, extending the available workspace.
The modest chart table lowers to lengthen the port settee berth, which runs a full 6 feet. Large drawers provide access to stowage beneath the port settee. Split mattresses in the cabins allow lee cloths to be rigged.
An enormous lazarette lies beneath the port seat. An optional wine rack can be installed under the sole beside the companionway.
Verdict
The Dufour 390 Grand Large is a thoroughly modern, high-volume cruiser that performs beyond what its modest sail plan might suggest, thanks to Felci’s hull shape and chine arrangement. She’s comfortable in harbor, forgiving under sail and unusually adaptable below. However, the short headsail tracks and her tendency to lose way quickly are genuine limitations for performance-minded sailors.
Pros
- Surprising performance in light air and breezier weather for a high-volume cruiser
- Flexible three-cabin layouts and substantial in-house joinery
- Well-planned cockpit features, including the drop-down swim platform, stowage-rich table and self-draining windlass locker
- Broad forward beam and chines that tuck into a narrower waterline, balancing interior volume with handling
Cons
- Headsail tracks are too short for an overlapping genoa
- Loses way quickly when the breeze drops
- Non-slip deck finish is less grippy than some rivals
