Dufour 35

[thomm225]

I looking for information on this boat. All comments are welcome.

Are there any problems with the iron keel?

Thanks,

Tom

[otterhound]

Spent 2 weeks on one in the 80's with 3 days of it in a Nor'easter off the So. Carolina/Georgia coast. This particular boat had crossed the Atlantic 3 times so it was nicely set up. The flush deck was really nice to move around on. It's a heck of a sea boat and it will take care of you for sure.
Rod

[swampthing]

I have been on/inspected one and am intimately aware of another that had wet keel bolts, wet skeg, wet rudder foam, and multiple wet spots in the core on deck. All of these problems have more to do with the lack of proper maintenance than any sort of flawed design. Any good surveyor will catch most, if not all of these problems on boats of this vintage. I would make sure the boat has been out of the water for a while before you test for moisture below the water line.



The keel is bolted on and then encapsulated in glass. Provided the glass hasn't delaminated or there is no moisture in the keel bolts, I've never heard of a problem with the iron.



Having said that, I love the apparent functionality of the boat, particularly the interior arrangement for a single hander or couple with occasional guest. I don't believe it was designed with IOR/CCA influence at all, pure cruiser. Quirky French but good.

[djmarchand]

Years ago I sold Dufours as a dealer for them in Annapolis. They were better made than Beneteaus and similar to Jenneaus. They did have a quirk or two like the vertical holding tank that was grafted into the head compartment.


Lots of sailboats have iron keels and proper paint prep will deal with any surface corrosion. Also lots of boats with iron or lead keels use steel bolts. You just need to encapsulate them properly.


David