Sailboat Dufour 37 for sale

Your introduction to the world of Dufour: the agile 10-metre sailing boat

With the 37, Dufour offers an attractive introduction to the world of Mediterranean cruising: but don’t be misled at first: in La Rochelle, yacht names traditionally sound ‘larger’ than the boats actually are. The Dufour 37 is not a 37-foot yacht; with an overall length of 10.77 m and a hull length of just 9.99 m, it is actually a 35-foot boat – or 30 feet, if you consider only the usable hull length. Dufour applies this ‘system’ to all its yachts: so when comparing boats, stick to the metric measurements.

That aside, with the Dufour 37, this long-established French shipyard offers an attractive package for novice sailors: available as a two- or three-cabin model, it is just as suitable for those who traditionally sail alone or in pairs as it is for families (and charter operators). The stylish design is the work of in-house designer Umberto Felci, who has refined and modernised the yachts’ lines over many, many years. Inside, his compatriot Luca Ardizio is responsible for the design: you’ll be greeted by a pleasant, very bright and light-filled atmosphere.

Although the hull is somewhat heavy at 6.7 tonnes, the yacht makes up for this with sufficient sail area. Whilst it tends to be a bit sluggish in light winds, the yacht surprises with lovely, agile sailing in moderate conditions. The single rudder is operated from the twin helm, from where the skipper has good access to the running rigging, depending on the sail plan.

The design of the Dufour 37 is entirely geared towards relaxation

The Dufour 37 is designed to do one thing above all else: to guarantee a wonderful holiday for the crew and guests. The interior is designed with this in mind, something you notice immediately the first time you go below deck: the hull, which is already very spacious in the bow section, creates a great deal of volume, meaning that the Dufour 37’s owner’s cabin in particular is very large compared to other boats in this class. The shipyard has fitted a lovely island bed here, although it tapers rather ‘radically’ at the foot end – though that’s nothing you can’t get used to.

The saloon, with its L-shaped galley on the port side and the combined shower and toilet, has a classic layout: Here, there are two sofas facing each other (on which a further two adults could sleep), and the central saloon table is fitted with folding leaves, so that even in bad weather, all crew members can comfortably enjoy a meal down here.

Everything is very light and bright: this is thanks to the numerous skylights, as well as the hull windows and the large windows in the cabin superstructure. There is probably no other production yacht of this size with so much natural light. Furthermore, the forward bulkhead (i.e. the door to the owner’s cabin) can be opened as a double door wide enough to make the saloon appear to extend into the owner’s cabin, which almost doubles the perceived interior volume. A clever touch that is often used on many smaller sailing boats.

Light-coloured woods, a floor in a matching dark shade – though not too dark – and beautiful, light-coloured upholstery fabrics complete the picture: a welcoming, French-chic atmosphere where you can really feel at home!

Modern exterior design: Umberto Felci’s style is unmistakable

The Italian master designer Umberto Felci has been working with Dufour yachts for over 20 years. During this time, he has consistently updated the yachts’ hull shapes and lines – which were very classic at the time – to bring them into the modern era. Even the ‘Grand Large’ models of that era – which remain very popular on the second-hand boat market today – were always one step ahead in terms of design compared to the generally rather conservative designs of other mass-production boat manufacturers. The Dufour 37 has been built in this way since 2022 and thus represents the latest generation of design developments.

Felci remains true to the brand’s philosophy of continuing to rely on single-rudder steering systems. These have both advantages and disadvantages. A single rudder allows for ‘old-school’ mooring and casting-off manoeuvres, which many sailors find more reassuring than having to get used to twin rudders – which can feel very unfamiliar and often somewhat unsafe at first. Furthermore, thanks to its manoeuvrability, a boat as small as the Dufour 37 may not need to be fitted with a bow thruster straight away. However, the single rudder sits very deep in the water to ensure effective steering even when the yacht is heeled over. Consequently, when ‘mooring the Roman Catholic way’ in the Mediterranean in harbours that haven’t been dredged very well, the rudder can sometimes be damaged by running aground. On the other hand, the now simpler steering mechanism provides fundamentally better feedback for the helmsman whilst sailing.

The hallmark of the new Dufour 37 – and indeed the entire current Dufour range – is the large hull windows, which make this yacht instantly recognisable from the outside. But here too, a word of caution: most of these black ‘windows’ are merely cladding; the actual window openings in the hull do not really differ in size from those of the competition. It is more of an optical illusion designed to give the hulls their characteristic dynamic appearance.

Buy a Dufour 37 – Hull, design, construction & sail plan

Infusion on the deck and hull: the Dufour 37 is well equipped to combat osmosis

What makes the ‘small’ Dufour 37 special is that both the hull and the deck are constructed using modern vacuum methods. The vacuum infusion process is used for the hull, whilst vacuum injection is used for the deck. Unlike most mass-production manufacturers, therefore, the GRP is not applied manually, layer by layer, using the hand-lay-up method. This system ultimately results in a lighter weight and ensures a largely bubble-free laminate structure. As a result, fibreglass components manufactured using vacuum techniques are generally considered to be less susceptible to osmosis than those produced using traditional lamination methods.

The choice is yours: should the Dufour 37 be as easy to sail as possible, or as fast as possible?

As is customary with Dufour, sailors can choose between three versions of the yacht, each of which will already be well suited to the owners’ sailing plans. The shipyard makes it easy: ‘Easy Sailing’, ‘Ocean Version’ and ‘Performance Version’ already suggest what you can expect ‘on board’. With the ‘Easy Sailing’ version, the entire fit-out is designed for the simplest possible handling. This includes comfortable and safe manoeuvring of the yacht (electric winches and bow thruster) and greater comfort. Those looking for equipment more suited to cruising will want to consider the ‘Ocean Version’, which has been selected and adapted for the boat’s long-distance use. Although the large-volume Dufour is certainly not a performance yacht, the hull can certainly be sailed in a sportier manner. Owners seeking agile handling and more power will be better off with the optimised rig and deck layout of the ‘Performance Version’. Regardless of these three packages, the options list naturally offers further possibilities for customising the boat.

Surprisingly spacious for its size: available as a 2- or 3-cabin model

In the 35-foot class, owners expect significantly more space and, above all, flexibility from the shipyards when it comes to the yacht’s layout. The Dufour 37 can therefore be ordered as a two-cabin or three-cabin model. As well as the extra berths in the three-cabin version, owners of the ‘owner’s version’ will appreciate the larger aft cabin (as the longitudinal bulkhead is not centred but offset slightly to starboard, creating additional space). The storage locker created here can hold plenty of provisions and other equipment, whilst the now significantly larger bathroom with shower is also more spacious. Unfortunately, Dufour no longer offers a yacht ‘one size smaller’, which is why the Dufour 37 may already be too large as an entry-level boat for use in inland waters or as a day sailer. Consequently, the 30-foot-long Dufour Grand Large 310 is still in considerable demand on the second-hand market and could be considered an alternative if you are looking for a boat that is not 3.80 m wide.

Buy a Dufour 37 – All the information for skippers and sailors

A fascinating history of the shipyard

Dufour is one of the world’s most traditional and best-known sailing boat brands. It is thanks to the founder, Michel Dufour, that GRP – a material that was new at the time and relatively unknown in boatbuilding – was used. Michel also came up with the idea of bonding a small inner shell, consisting of longitudinal and transverse struts, into an outer GRP shell: this enabled him to give the hull its strength whilst simultaneously saving a huge amount of weight. The inner-shell/outer-shell principle is still used today. Back in the 1960s, in La Rochelle, Dufour shaped an industry that continues to benefit from the inventions and experience of that pioneering era.

The shipyard has now moved to Perigny, a suburb of La Rochelle, into large, modern workshops. There, it finds itself in ‘good company’; its neighbours include, for example, the epoxy-plywood specialists at RM Yachts. Having changed hands frequently (it even belonged to the Bavaria Group at one point), the shipyard is now part of the Fountaine Pajot Group. Whilst it can no longer match the output of its golden years – when it built almost 400 boats a year – it is steadily increasing its market share. Recently, the shipyard has focused primarily on building larger yachts and, from 2023, will be investing more heavily in a completely new design style.

The Dufour 37 certainly knows how to sail!

Dufour yachts are renowned for their impressive sailing performance, though only when fitted with the high-performance rigs. The latest generation of these sailing yachts, in particular, is clearly geared much more towards internal volume and, consequently, space on board: the days of the legendary Dufour 36 E Performance are long gone; you’re unlikely to win any regattas with these cruisers. Nevertheless, the yacht offers a lovely combination of space, light, comfort and, indeed, ‘sprightly’ sailing, provided you opt for good sails and the performance rig.

Dufour 37 for sale – two keel options

With an overall length of 10.77 m and a maximum beam of 3.80 m, the boat is compact compared to its sister vessels, but it is by no means a small boat. We would say it is the ideal size for a sailing boat on the Baltic Sea. On Lake Constance and other large inland waterways, the boat’s width of 3.80 m is likely to prove rather problematic. Nevertheless, sailors who wish to sail in shallower waters or whose harbours are not dredged to great depths can order a flat keel with a draught of 1.60 m; the standard draught is 1.90 m. This gives the Dufour 37 a ballast ratio of just under 27 per cent, which is slightly lower than that of other comparable yachts (the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, for example, has 29 to 34 per cent), nevertheless, the Dufour can compensate for some of this with high initial stability due to its wide hull shape.

Buy a Dufour 37 – Great value for money

Dufour is known for its competitively priced offerings in the new-build market. The yachts have a fairly low base price, but the cost can quickly rise depending on the options and packages you choose. In previous years, the shipyard was able to gain significant market share through special offers and discounts; however, this strategy has been phased out, at the latest since the takeover by Fountaine-Pajot – a move we can only welcome. It’s worth working through the full cost of the boats with a specialist dealer, because – as is customary in the industry – whilst the base prices and base models are very attractive, they can hardly be described as ready to sail.

Very popular in the charter sector

There is a reason for the shipyard’s shift towards greater volume, more lounge and sunbathing areas, and generally a more ‘holiday-like’ atmosphere on board: Dufour has a strong presence in the charter market. Charter operators appreciate the yachts’ modular construction and simple furniture design, which – true to the motto ‘square, practical, good’ – is easy to repair or replace. The yachts are very stylish both inside and out, and their modern design appeals particularly to younger people. This combination of price, space and design has led many charter operators to add new Dufour yachts to their fleets. This has two advantages for you as a boat buyer or prospective buyer: you can charter a brand-new Dufour at any time in almost all European sailing areas and test it thoroughly during a one- or two-week holiday before making a purchase. Secondly, if you’re more interested in a second-hand boat, you could purchase one or two well-maintained charter boats from these fleets: however, you should ensure that they are fitted out to a standard suitable for private ownership.

Buy a Dufour 37 – comfort below deck

No experiment needed! The Dufour 37 below deck

As innovative and ‘bold’ as the Dufour 37 appears from the outside, it is surprisingly conservative on the inside and on deck. Below deck, the layout is straightforward, featuring an L-shaped galley, simple saloon sofas with a folding table and a day bathroom. Above deck, the clean lines are a delight: you instinctively know straight away where everything is and how to use it. The running rigging – even if you opt for the most ‘complex’ sailing configuration – is clearly arranged, and you need virtually no learning curve to handle the Dufour 37 safely. Perhaps this is the boat’s greatest strength: it looks so surprisingly ‘different’ from other production yachts, yet requires no real adjustment to get used to, either inside or out.

Natural light and light-coloured woods

For a sailing yacht in the lower mid-range segment, the build quality of the furniture appears to be very good. The veneers are of substantial thickness, whilst high-wear areas such as table edges, the galley and door reveals are made from beautifully finished solid wood components. These areas appear significantly more vulnerable and ‘thinner’ on boats from other manufacturers. The quality of the fittings, such as handles, latches and catches, also appears solid. As with other production boats, the veneered floorboards are a potential weak point; they require particular care when opening and closing to prevent chipping at the edges.

The new generation of Dufour yachts boasts plenty of natural light, which, combined with the light-coloured woods and fabric colours, creates an exceptionally bright interior. Two large skylights directly behind the mast, a deck hatch in the foredeck and, above all, the windows in the superstructure (the ‘front window’ is particularly appealing) flood the yacht with light – although a few more fresh-air hatches would be desirable, especially in the height of summer.

Dufour 37 for sale – Everything a skipper could wish for

In the simplest version of the sail plan, the cockpit requires only two winches, as the self-tacking jib and the mainsail each require just one sheet. In the ‘more complex’ sail plans, the working winches are positioned in the traditional manner alongside the companionway. The design of the instrument panels by the steering wheels is elegantly executed, as is the stern, which can be fully enclosed, creating a continuous bench seat. The bathing platform folds down; behind it is storage space for fenders, a life raft and other items, as well as access to the rudder stock and the quadrant. The sprayhood is also a simple solution, which can be extended with a bimini top: whether fitted with a simple furling rig or more sail area with a classic battened mainsail, the Dufour 37 will sail easily and never overwhelm the skipper.

Summary and conclusion

Could the Dufour 37 be your next boat?

With the Dufour 37, the shipyard has unveiled a stylish Italian yacht for the mid-range market, which is sure to meet the needs of recreational and holiday sailors looking for relaxing cruising trips. The modern exterior design is offset by clean yet conservative lines inside. The boat is completely free of frills and is tailored for practical use on sailing holidays. Couples and those who tend to sail in pairs should opt for the two-cabin version, as this offers a very attractive aft cabin and much more storage space. Anyone buying the 3-cabin version will have to make do with a bathroom that quickly feels rather small.

Due to their widespread use in the charter trade, many Dufour 37 are likely to be available on the second-hand boat market: as well as the usual areas of concern, anyone interested in buying a second-hand Dufour 37 should pay particular attention to the rig. Many owners and dealers report rather mixed experiences with the ‘Jet Thruster’ system as a bow thruster.

Buy a Dufour 37 – What we particularly like about it:

• A truly eye-catching design by Umberto Felci.
• A practical layout designed with holidays in mind.
• The interior of the boat is very bright.

Buying a Dufour 37 – Here’s what you need to look out for:

• A relatively heavy boat: its performance in light winds is rather poor.
• Manufacturing quality in detail, particularly ‘behind the panels’.
• Jet Thruster System.

Further reviews and test reports: