Dufour 35 Standard Rig

Description

The Dufour 35 is a French sailboat designed by Michel Dufour as a seaworthy coastal cruiser-racer, ideal for family cruising, club racing, and occasional offshore passages on varied waters. It features a fiberglass monohull with a fin keel and skeg-hung rudder for protected, balanced handling, a wide beam for stability, and a masthead sloop standard rig for straightforward power and ease of sail management in moderate winds. The design emphasizes solid construction, a moderate displacement/length ratio for responsive yet comfortable motion, and a high ballast ratio for stiffness in gusts, with a comfort ratio classifying it as a capable bluewater cruiser despite its size. Introduced in 1971 by Dufour Yachts in La Rochelle, France, the Dufour 35 was the founder's self-designed evolution of his earlier successes like the Arpège, targeting the post-1960s demand for affordable, high-quality fiberglass yachts during the fiberglass revolution. Production ran until 1982, with approximately 450 units built, establishing it as a bestseller that blended French elegance with practical seaworthiness. The standard masthead rig (with tall rig optional) provided reliable headsail-driven performance, earning praise in era reviews for its offshore reputation, maneuverability, and value—described as a "fiberglass masterpiece" that's "small but solid and with powerful momentum." Owners highlight its ability to track well, balance under sail, and heave-to effectively, though the skeg offers rudder protection at the cost of slight agility compared to spade designs. It remains a classic, distinct from the later Dufour 35 Classic (1997–2004) by Patrick Le Quément.