Dufour 3800 (F-30/F31) Fractional Rig

Description

The Dufour 3800 (also marketed as the F-30 or F-31 in some regions, such as the US as the Dufour 31 Frers) is a French coastal cruising sailboat with racer-cruiser capabilities, designed for family weekend sailing, club racing, and short passages on lakes or protected waters. The Fractional Rig variant features a lighter, more responsive setup with a shorter mast and forestay, allowing for better mainsail power and easier handling in moderate winds compared to the standard masthead rig. It employs a fiberglass monohull with a fin keel and spade rudder for agile upwind performance, a wide beam for stability, and a practical interior accommodating up to 8 in a pinch, though comfortably for 4–6. The design prioritizes seaworthiness with a moderate displacement/length ratio and a high ballast ratio for stiffness in gusts. Introduced in 1980 by Dufour Yachts in La Rochelle, France, the Dufour 3800 was designed by renowned naval architect German Frers as part of the Half Ton class, blending IOR-influenced racing lines with cruising practicality during the early 1980s fiberglass boom. Production ran until 1984, with approximately 300 units built, reflecting Dufour's focus on affordable, high-quality GRP construction inspired by Michel Dufour's earlier successes like the Arpège. The Fractional Rig was offered as an option for sailors seeking enhanced light-air performance and simpler rig tuning, with a shorter mast (I=36.1 ft) and fractional forestay for a more dynamic sail plan.