Design Decisions & Hull Configurations
To maximize righting moment and pointing ability, Sparkman & Stephens drew a deep standard fin keel. However, to appeal to coastal cruisers seeking access to thin-water cruising grounds, the designers also offered a shoal-draft keel-centerboard variant that significantly reduced the minimum draft. This configuration allowed cruising sailors to explore shallow anchorages without sacrificing windward performance. The underwater profile features a classic mid-1980s S&S short fin keel and a deep, high-aspect spade rudder to minimize wetted surface area, though this compromises traditional tracking stability. Rather than a fractional setup, a robust masthead sloop rig was chosen to lower the center of effort, allowing the boat to stand up well to a blow despite carrying a massive mainsail.
Construction & Systems
The yacht is built with a heavy, single-skin hand-laid solid fiberglass hull, providing outstanding puncture resistance for offshore work. The deck utilizes a balsa-sandwich construction to maintain a high stiffness-to-weight ratio under heavy mast compression, while the ballast consists of a premium lead keel rather than cheaper cast iron. Internally, the boat was configured in either a private two-stateroom layout or a charter-focused three-stateroom layout. Systems are highly complex, particularly on the multi-head charter versions, featuring an intricate network of plumbing, high-load deck organizers, and an adjustable, hydraulically tensioned standing backstay.
Handling Dynamics
The boat's fine bows, plumb stem, and long waterline allow her to slice cleanly through head seas without slamming. Backed by a high ballast ratio, she is exceptionally stiff and carries full sail longer than typical cruiser-racers of her era. When cracked off the wind, the clean hull lines allow the yacht to accelerate rapidly, though downwind sailing on models equipped with the tall "Special E" racing rig requires experienced hands due to a narrow shroud base. Under power, tight-quarter maneuvering is challenging due to the high-aspect rudder and a strong tendency for the hull to walk in reverse before gaining steerageway.
Known Issues & Mitigations
Decades after production, several specific areas require attention. The balsa-cored deck is highly susceptible to water intrusion around stanchion bases, the anchor windlass, and deck organizers, requiring moisture testing and epoxy-bonded core replacement. The original composite rudder bearings are known to absorb water and swell, resulting in a stiff helm that necessitates dropping the rudder to fit modern self-aligning bearings. Additionally, the original turbocharged Volvo Penta 2003T engines commonly suffer from carbon buildup and cooling passage blockages, prompting many owners to repower with modern naturally aspirated diesels.
The Verdict
The Dufour 42 is a rare, high-pedigree cruiser that occupies a unique brokerage niche, offering Sparkman & Stephens performance and luxury craftsmanship at a fraction of the cost of a vintage Swan.
Pros
- Exceptional windward pointing and stiffness in heavy seas.
- High-end, robust build quality featuring a solid GRP hull and lead ballast.
- Elegant, timeless classic lines with a low-profile coachroof.
Cons
- Extreme scarcity on the used market makes finding a model difficult.
- High-aspect rig and complex deck layout are physically demanding for short-handed crews.
- Deep standard draft limits cruising in shallow coastal areas.
- Standard fuel capacity of 36 gallons is remarkably small for offshore cruising.
