When thinking of iconic sailboats, we often think of those from the 1980s. However, some of the latest generation sailboats quickly become popular due to their excellent seafaring qualities and meticulous construction. The Dufour 34 is one of those used sailboats that stands out in its category.
The Dufour 34, also available as the Dufour 34 Performance, is a sailboat that has played a significant role in the adventure of recreational sailing. Buying a used Dufour 34 means acquiring a boat from a shipyard like no other. The Dufour Yachts shipyard contributed to the birth of recreational sailing and popular sailing. It then experienced a turbulent history, with ups and downs. This history gave rise to extraordinary sailboats, thanks in part to its founder and the architect of the first sailboats, Michel Dufour. He was a true visionary. Dufour made its mark on the history of recreational sailing with boats like the Arpège, Sylphe, and Dufour 35. But we must not forget other sailboats, perhaps less iconic but incredibly popular, such as the Dufour 1800, Dufour 2800, and others.
In the 1990s, the shipyard faced numerous difficulties. It attempted to relaunch itself by offering higher-end sailboats, such as the Dufour Master and Dufour Lactose, at the end of the 1980s. It then returned to the fundamentals of sailing with the Dufour Classic range. Never quite finding the ideal formula to weather the recreational boating crisis, it took the shipyard about a decade to truly rebuild its reputation.
In the 2000s, a new range of sailboats arrived at Dufour Yachts. These sailboats are synonymous with:
- Elegance
- Performance
- Seaworthiness
- Build quality
The Dufour 34 is one of these sailboats. It embodies all these qualities and achieved success from its launch. The Dufour 34 is one of those sailboats that remain a safe bet since their introduction to the market. Let’s take a closer look at this cruiser.
History of the Dufour 34
The Dufour 34 was born in 2003. This design, created by Umberto Felci, remained in the shipyard’s catalog until 2008. This cruiser, or even a cruiser-racer, marked a strong comeback for Dufour. This new 10-meter boat competed with the Oceanis 343 from Bénéteau, the Etap 34S (at the end of its career), and the Sun Odyssey 35 from Jeanneau.
However, the quality of its finishes and hull design made potential buyers think twice before turning to ranges from shipyards like Elan or X Yachts.
Indeed, the Dufour 34 is a genuinely well-built sailboat, with above-average quality. At the same time, special attention was given to its design and finishes. It is a pleasant boat both outside and inside. In 2008, it was replaced by the Dufour 34E, which kept the same hull with some comfort improvements.
Dufour 34, a sleek sailboat
The Dufour 34 is a cruising sailboat. By this, I mean it is not a technical boat. It is balanced under sail. It performs well in both light and heavy winds and behaves well at all points of sail.
The boat was offered in its standard version with a wheel. While the wheel can tend to split the cockpit in two on boats of this size, here it remains reasonable. However, a tiller was available as an option and is found on many models. The winches are placed quite far aft. While this arrangement may seem surprising for maneuvers with a large crew, it allows solo sailors to have everything within reach.
Since the boat quickly won over sailing enthusiasts, the shipyard introduced a version called “Performance,” designed for racing. This version of the Dufour 34 achieved considerable success. It stands out with:
- A standard tiller
- A folding propeller
- A lead keel
- A taller mast to increase sail area
- Slightly more technical equipment.
This version, also available on the Dufour 34E, remains highly sought after.
A boat capable of going far
The Dufour 34 is therefore an excellent cruiser, pleasant to sail, and with sound behavior at sea. While this 10-meter sailboat has convinced many owners for coastal cruising, its capabilities do not end there. Indeed, this well-built sailboat is capable of going far, very far. It has enabled families to cross the Atlantic, spend several years sailing between the archipelagos of the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean.
Beyond its construction and seafaring qualities, the Dufour 34 is well organized for cruising. The boat was available in 2-cabin or 3-cabin versions. The 3-cabin version does not particularly sacrifice space in the saloon, which is sometimes the case.
The boat offers plenty of storage, and movement in the saloon is easy. The layout is classic: the chart table and galley are at the foot of the companionway, followed by the forward cabin and head. Under the cockpit, there are two cabins. In the 2-cabin version, the head is located behind the chart table. In short, an excellent used boat that was replaced by the Dufour 360.
Dufour 34 Technical Specifications
- Hull length: 10.28m
- Waterline length: 9.28m
- Beam: 3.48m
- Draft: 1.90m or 1.50m
- Weight: 5700kg
- Ballast: 1750kg
- Sail area: 61m²
- Category: A
- Engine: 20hp
- Cabins: 2
- Headroom: 1.90m
- Construction: Fiberglass