International Dufour Grand Large and Dufour Performance Forum

[Lars]

Performance strenght is;
1. Tacking against wind at 30 degrees or even better and very fast
2. Mainsail in cockpit for immy control
3. Sails very well with also 110% jib.
4. More sailarea vs displacement.
5. Singlehanded crew, Yes you have everything close to you
6. Excellent onboard comfort
7. True Performance sailing
Grand Large
1. Sails very well and very fast but only when wind is open -- more than 40 degrees
2. Cockpit is clear for cockpit tent and crew
3. Even more space and comfort inside
Both common
Dufour hull have 5 year warranty, Production is certified by bureau of Veritas.
Very fast and very easy driven hulls. Grand Large is faster than anyone can beleave in wind angle above 40 degrees and winds above 5m/s almost the same as performance. Performance is much faster in less winds and tighter wind angles.

Comments experience; two of my friends has D40P and one D365GL

assume D365GL characteristics to be comparable to other GL yachts

[barry_n_janet]

Hi Lars

Some additional info for you. We have a D40P Ruby Tuesday and we have a permenant bimini over the helm. For overnights in the marina we have an extension from the bimini. It hangs below the boom, extends over the sprayhood and fits without removing the mainsheet. For longer stays or on colder evenings we have a complete cockpit tent. It does need the mainsheet moving from the cockpit sole, we swing out the boom so it is over the side deck and fasten the main sheet to the deck.

Currently, here in Lagos Portugal, we have breakfast every morning beneath our cockpit tent.

So, fast at sea and snug and warn in harbour.

_________________
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[Lars]

Dear Barry_n_janet
Thanks for sharing yre experiences in your home web site.
This will help other owners/br Lars

ps If you come back to my homewater The Baltc sea please donot hesitate to contact me ds

[Roorda]

barry_n_janet,

I read your articles about the 40 P. I'm in the lucky situation gettting a 405 GL or 40 E, I will be retiring in 2 -3 years and spend quite some time on board w. my lovely wife Angelique, coast W.france, Port, Med. I'm doubting between 405 GL or 40 E. Before fixing the exact version can you give me some advise.
1. preferable a 2- cabin version ?
2. which engine 30 or 40 CV
3. fixed or foldable propellor, I read chose a 4- blade 20 x15 ?
4. did you prefer the front cabin or rear. in my previous 4800 I used always the rear cabin
5. I didn't understand, what you ment by writing: "... so reduced the spac eon the stern platform" can you send me a claer picture.
6. did you use a diode , charging the batteries? Loose of tension, over the diode-bridge?
7. Did you have the std. cockpit table or a special one

Some more ideas?

Thanks for your excellent Ruby's Page

Theo

[TimOnders]

We've managed to sail most of the Dufour models up to the mid-40 foot range since our charter agent is also the local Dufour dealer. For us, the Performance boats are definitely the preference.

They aren't as roomy as similar-sized GLs, but they sail much better, are a higher-quality fit and finish, and have a much better rig layout for sailing. For example, we were sailing a 365 in conditions which required putting in a reef. With the main sheet, halyard reefing line all on the cabin top, it was a mess trying to deal with everything quickly.

However, Dufour has been negatively impacting the Performance designs with the newer 'e' changes. In particular, the higher coaming and forward winch positions make the boats much more difficult to single-hand (one of the best features of the original Performance boats).

For our next boat, we'll probably go with a used D40 or D44 from before the 'e' changes.

Cheers,
Tim Onders
s/v Frog Prints
2003 D34 #057
Seattle, WA

[Tandala]

Tim,
I absolutely agree regarding the revised winch positions; we looked at the 365GL and 34, but just a few minutes in the cockpit clearly defined the 34 as the better boat for me - but each to his own I know.

The primary reasons for me were the fact that from behind the wheel I can trim (or dump) the mainsheet, adjust the traveller and trim or even tack the genoa. If I have crew with me they can do all of the same without us getting in each other's way. Moving the winches forward would mean that the helm has to climb around the wheel to trim or tack the genoa.

I dont race, but that doesn't mean I dont want to sail fast - the winds are predominantly South Westerly in the Solent so we are frequently beating to windward if heading out of the Solent. A few degrees closer to the wind can make a big difference here.

I am delighted with our D34 which we have had since January 2008. The only issue I have is the challenge of controlling the bow when mooring in a cross wind. Thankfully we have a swinging mooring so it is rarely an issue but it can and has got a bit exciting at times!

Graham

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Graham
D34 Tandala

[TimOnders]

Hi Graham,

I know what you mean about going to windward. Here in the Puget Sound, the wind tends to be coming from where we are going. That's also why we like the cockpit layout so much - my wife and I often double-hand, and being able to tack without having the other person handy is very helpful. Plus, even when we sail with a six or seven person crew, we haven't had problems with people getting in the way.

If the wind is giving you trouble when mooring, try approaching in reverse. We've found the D34 to be very manuverable when going backwards, and it often changes the dynamics of the situation enough to make things easier.

Also, when docking, the midships cleat is critical (much more than the stern). A friend of ours who is an instructor was going to teach a docking class on our boat for the first time. He didn't believe us about the importance of using the breast line until he tried it a couple times.

We now have about 16,000 miles under the keel and are still loving it. We've tried a lot of other boats but haven't found anything we'd prefer over the Performance line over all.

-Tim

[Tandala]

Tim,
That makes a lot of sense - it definitely goes exactly where you steer it in reverse. When we had our demo sail on a D34 way back in the summer of 2007, the salesman reversed the boat all the way into the marina with two 90 degree turns and moored it perfectly - not sure I have the confidence to commit to that without practice - now there's a job for a quiet winter marina! I have seen the midship mooring line used very effectively just recently too.

thanks
Graham

_________________
Graham
D34 Tandala

[Paul Curzon]

Guess I am talking to the converted on this forum. I am going to look at a Dufour 38.5 Grand Large this weekend for use as live on boat , cruising in the Carribean and eventually back to Europe. I have read a lot about the boats. This one is 2005. Anything particular to look out for. ( First viewing ) Thank you very much Paul pandw2009@hotmail.com