Dufour 3800 (F-30/F31) Short 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 Short Rig variant is a masthead sloop configuration with a reduced mast height, optimized for trailering, low-bridge access, or regions with height restrictions, while maintaining responsive handling via a fin keel and spade rudder. It employs a fiberglass monohull with 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, offering slightly less sail power than taller rigs but easier setup and lower center of gravity. 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 Short Rig was offered as an option for sailors prioritizing transportability or storage ease, featuring a shorter mast (I=38.1 ft vs. standard 41.3 ft) and luff (P=32.7 ft vs. 36.0 ft) to reduce overall height while preserving proportional sail balance.