Dufour 35 Tall Rig

Description

The Dufour 35 Tall Rig is an optional variant of the classic 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 tall rig for enhanced light-air performance and greater sail-carrying ability compared to the standard rig. 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 tall rig option (available from launch) addressed sailor preferences for better drive in variable or light winds, increasing sail area by ~10% via extended mast and luff dimensions while maintaining rig simplicity.