Dufour 36 Performance Race Ready, Cruise Friendly

Straight from France, this peppy, dual-purpose sailboat fulfills both missions with style. BY MARK PILLSBURY

The team of naval architect Umberto Felci and Du­four Design hit those targets square-on. This little cruising racer-or should it be racy cruiser?- was, simply put, fun to sail.

As we tossed in a few tacks on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, then hoisted up the sock to unleash a sprit-flown A-sail, the Dufour  suggested strongly that a fellow and his mates could tear up the Wednesday-night beer-can se­ries just as easily as he and the family could sail (quickly) off to a lazy week­ end anchorage, where they could enjoy themselves quite comfortably on the well-organized deck and in the ample interior below.

Dufour has been building boats­ between 300 and 400 annually, in re­cent years-since 1964, and it became a part of the Bavaria Group in 2010. The company’s model range consists of the Grand’ Large cruising line and the Performance series of racer/cruisers, of which the 36 is the latest iteration.

Reflecting current design trends, the 36 features twin wheels, a large main and easy-to-handle jib, hard chines that carry aft from  just shy of amidships, and a fold-down transom/swim platform. Topside, the design’s racing intent is on display. A very functional traveler spans the cockpit forward of the helms, and cockpit lockers that double as seats can be lifted out to give trimmers and the helmsman more room to work.

The  keel-stepped, 7/8ths fractional rig with double sweptback spread­ers, the vang, and  the  boom are all from Sparcraft. On the boat we tested, the North Sails inventory included  a 107-percent jib and an asymmetric spinnaker. (The standard  main and 114-persent jib are by Elvstrom.) To control those sails, a two-ended main­ sheet leads back to Lewmar winches at either helm; adjustable  genoa fair leads are included to accommodate optional larger head sails. All other  sail-control lines are led under the sea hood  to rope clutches and a pair of cabin-top winches. A retractable sprit (available in aluminum or carbon), a removable anchor roller (with a windlass in the anchor well), and a Facnor head sail­ furling system round out the hardware. The 36 Performance’s hull is a solid, hand-laid  glass-and-polyester lami­nate below the waterline, with a PVC foam-and-glass sandwich above. PVC­ cored longitudinal stringers provide stiffness, as does a  glassed-in grid that distributes mast, engine, and keel loads. The T-shaped keel is a cast-iron bulb and foil, attached with stainless­ steel keel bolts.

But enough details; how did the boat sail? In the conditions weencoun­tered-5 to 7 knots of breeze-the knot meter matched the wind speed on a near reach, and we tacked while sail­ing close hauled through about 70 de­grees. The ride left me wishing the sea breeze would hurry up and fill in.

Under power, the optional 40-horse­ power Volvo diesel (a 3D-horsepower diesel is standard) and sail drive, with a two-bladed folding prop, pushed  us along at just over 7 knots at cruising rpm;  we topped out at 8 knots  with the  throttle wide open. From cruis­ing speed, we screeched to a halt with the motor thrown in reverse. The boat backed responsively, and moving for­ ward at speed, it turned in just about a boat length.

As purposeful as the 36 Perfor­mance  is on  deck, the intent below is to provide the necessary creature comforts to help a hard-working-or fun-loving-crew unwind. The layout is fairly traditional. A  roomy cabin and V-berth forward entered through double doors add to the spacious feel; full-length settees (measuring 6-feet-7-inches long) line the saloon, with a dining table and drop-leaf  between. A sit-down nav desk is to starboard, across from a compact but very work­ able galley that features double sinks, a large refrigerator, and a two-burner propane stove and oven.

Aft of the saloon to port is another double-berth cabin. To starboard is a head and shower that can double as a wet hanging locker, and behind that is a drop-down door that provides access to a handy storage area.

Furniture and trim are CNC-cut and made from a moabi-laminate ply­wood. (Resin-sealed end grain is an option.) The deck is an infused cored laminate, which allows for a finished gelcoat surface inside and out, and lets the builder control resin content and reduce weight.

I found several small touches that made the interior both pleasant and workable. For instance, the V-berth comes with a split  mattress and cen­ter line leeboard for use by racing crews. Both settees would make fine sea berths, and there’s plenty of stor­age behind them  to keep gear out of the way. In the galley, there’s a foot pump for the water misers among us and a tip-out drawer for silverware. Access to the engine, filters, and hoses is ample. And five opening hatches en-sure that plenty of fresh air will keep the cabin ventilated.

Intended to enter the market on the premium side of the production­ boat scale, a base boat,  delivered to the United States commissioned and with sails, lists for just under $210,000. Throw in a B&G electronics package, a navigation system, and a few toys, and a buyer can expect to sail away in the mid to high $200, s.

The 36 Performance is constructed to European Union Category A stan­dards, but for most sailors, the 53 gal­lons of water and 24 gallons of fuel will keep the boat racing and cruising nearer to the coast. And for that, this Dufour’s size, layout, and amenities should make it a serious contender for a racer’s or a performance-oriented cruiser’s consideration.

DOWN TO THE DETAILS

0 With a manageable-sized headsail, the Dufour 36 is a breeze to tack, and a sprit for heading off the wind makes for a very workable all-around sail plan.

f) Traditional layout provides settees on either side of the saloon that will double as seaberths when you’re cruising or sailing with a crew on distance races.

E) Simple amenities abound, such as this fold-out drawer for keeping silverware organized in the galley.

Source: Mark Pillsbury is the editor of Cruising World.