International Dufour Grand Large and Dufour Performance Forum

[Skipper01]

Hello,

we ordered a new Grand Large 325, it should come in May. We choose tillersteering, the deep kiel 1,85m, few electronics, just deept-sounder and speedmeter and a heater because in spring it's really cold on the Baltic sea. We never bought a new boat, always used boats.
Has anybody ideas for which points we have to pay attention to when we will get the boat?

Skipper

[nicknack]

Hi Skipper
We bought a new Dufour GL 325 in August 2008 and so far have completed nearly 2000 miles including several trips from UK to France and Channel Isles. My (50kg) wife and I mainly sail it together and are delighted with the performance, ease of handling and accommodation. We have sailed it several times in winds of around 35 knots and have always felt safe and comfortable.

I would however seriously consider the following extras:
(a) radio, radar reflector and burgee halyards - all easy to fit before the mast is stepped,
(b) asymetrical spinnaker - great for surfing downwind at over 10 knots
(c) jackstays and additional cockpit strong points (safety),
(d) anchor windlass - we always reckoned we could do without this on a small cruising boat but found that Dufour fit as standard the mother of all Delta anchors and a long 10mm chain. This is VERY difficult to recover safely by hand (and without damaging the near vertical bow) in over 30 knots of wind. (Your boat will arrive with wires from the bettery compartment to the fore cabin locker and the depression in the foredeck is exactly the right size for a Quick Aries 700 windlass).
(e) replacement rubber hoses in the engine compartment (see all other threads on this website on this topic).

We had some minor problems in the early stages including leaking windows and stanchion bases and a non working fuel gausge. These were all dealt with ok by the agent. We also found it necessary to replace all screws holding velcro cushions/curtains in the saloon because the ones fitted are too small and tear out the velcro pads easily.

Hope this helps.

nicknack