Tofinou 9.5 Buyer's Guide
The Tofinou 9.5 remains one of the most compelling modern-classic day-sailers to appear on the brokerage market. Designed by architects Joubert and Nivelt, her narrow 2.5-meter beam, lifting keel, and standard carbon mast combine to deliver a sailing experience that is fast, stiff, and remarkably easy to manage alone. The cockpit layout brings halyards and sheets within arm’s reach of the helm, and all running rigging is concealed beneath a removable varnished mahogany coaming—practical details that make single or short-handed daysailing genuinely effortless. Her trailerable design on a purpose-built double-axle trailer broadens the ownership proposition, allowing easy road transport, access to small marina berths, and convenient off-season storage.
Layouts on the Used Market
The interior of the Tofinou 9.5 is defined by a simple, functional approach that perfectly complements her sail plan. The narrow hull provides exceptional passage through the water and contributes to the boat’s smooth helm.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Used Tofinou 9.5s commonly feature electric winches and a short-handed setup that makes the boat especially appeal to couples or solo sailors. Teak decks and a cockpit shower are also often seen, adding to the classic aesthetic and on-the-water comfort. Among owner upgrades, a self-tacking jib, a spinnaker or asymmetric spinnaker, an autopilot, and an EPIRB appear with some regularity—though not on every listing—so buyers seeking a fully kitted example should pay attention to the individual boat’s inventory rather than assuming such gear is standard.
What to Inspect
Pay close attention to the lifting keel mechanism and its pivot bearing for any signs of play, corrosion, or neglected greasing. If the original double-axle trailer is part of the sale, verify its structural condition and brake system carefully—the specially designed trailer can be used for storage or wintering of the boat, and many owners use it for seasonal storage or road transport, so trailer maintenance history matters.
Examine the carbon mast, boom, and standing rigging thoroughly for cracks, UV degradation, or impact damage, and test the operation of the self-tacking furling jib under load. Removing the mahogany coaming to inspect the blocks, sheaves, and deck organisers hidden beneath is essential, because all the blocks are masked beneath a superb and entirely removable varnished mahogany coaming, and moisture or chafe can go unnoticed for seasons.
The standard 14CH Yanmar engine and sail-drive require the same scrutiny you would apply to any used auxiliary—check service records, the condition of the sail-drive diaphragm, and the cutless bearing. The Tofinou 9.5 has a sail-drive, and neglected seal replacements can lead to costly repairs, so factor that into any offer.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Tofinou 9.5s circulate most actively in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain. When evaluating a candidate, keep a short checklist in mind:
- Verify keel lifting function and pivot integrity.
- Inspect carbon rig, standing rigging, and furling gear.
- Remove the cockpit coaming to assess blocks and runners.
- Check engine hours, sail-drive diaphragm date, and fluid condition.
- Confirm trailer roadworthiness and brake function if included.
- Identify which owner upgrades are present—self-tacker, spinnaker gear, autopilot, EPIRB—and value them accordingly.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Tofinou 9.5. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 5 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25 | 2 | $ 99,019 | — |
| Oct 25 | 1 | $ 112,677 | +13.8% |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $ 129,459 | +14.9% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $ 118,937 | -8.1% |
| Apr 26 | 7 | $ 125,121 | +5.2% |
Where they're listed
Tofinou 9.5 listings appear across 3 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 4 (40.0%), followed by Netherlands and France.
Country view
10 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $ 129,459 | 4 | 0 | 40.0% |
| Netherlands | $ 112,677 | 4 | 0 | 40.0% |
| France | $ 122,067 | 2 | 0 | 20.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
3 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tofinou 9.5You are here | — | $ 122,029 | 10 | 0 |
| Sparkman & Stephens 30 | 30.5' | $ 35,000 | 9 | 1 |
| Tofinou 9.7 | 32.22' | $ 252,670 | 4 | 3 |