Dufour 335 - spacious, cost effective, simple to sail
by Peter Franki/Sail-World Cruising on 13 Apr 2013
Dufour 335 SW
The Dufour 335 Grand Large gathers all the successful advantages of a much bigger boat. Even though this boat has been on the market since the end of 2011, it's worth a look as a cost effective solution to the dreams of many a cruising sailor looking for space in a shorter length of boat.
She is designed for longer cruising but her comfort and layout are a surprise for a boat of this size. Its wide open cockpit is revolutionary for a 33ft boat providing space and comfort usually reserved for larger boats. Twin wheels and redesigned rigging with no need for a backstay increase the feeling of space, safety and comfort. Single or short handed sailing can be a breeze with this model.
Down below you will see a larger than normal aft cabin, spacious forecabin and a spacious and well designed head.
A 335 Grand Large galley can be fully kitted out for living, starting with a large refrigerator, sink and twin burner oven, coupled with Corian work surfaces and bags of clever storage provide everything you need to live aboard for longer periods.
You could call her a pocket yacht for long-distance cruising. It's quite striking that she has no backstay, thanks to a rethink of the rigging and spreader design; secondly, she has twin wheels — quite something for such a small yacht — which gives easy acces to the aft bathing platform area (particularly without a backstay in the way); and thirdly, she has been designed with some above-class-average tankage to deliver cruising autonomy.
Her two-cabin interior is fairly straightforward, with a portside aft galley at the foot of the wider-than-usual hatch and companionway and a chart table to starboard, with the midships area given to twin fore and aft bench settees and a central table.
The sleeping cabins — one in the bow and one in the stern — mean that you can cruise with friends without getting in each other's way.
If there is anyone who knows a good yacht when they see one, it's the operators of sailing schools. Here's one satisfied customer, Peter Franki of Eastsail Sailing School:
'We have been operating the a well-known brand of boat for many years. I have been looking for a replacement boat for about the last 4 or 5 years and seriously for about 2.
'Whilst the our previous boats have been excellent for our business they have always been compromised by their tiny cockpit.
'So one of my primary considerations was usable cockpit space - bums on seats. I also wanted a boat that had reasonable water storage, Volvo engine and sail drive leg, Volvo, quality build, decent interior with a simple rig.
'The Dufour 335 has met all those criteria as well as being reasonably priced and easy to sail. Overall I am delighted.
Specifications:
Overall length 10.28m/33'7'
Hull length 9.98m/32'7'
Waterline length 9m/29'5'
Beam 3.49m/11'4'
Displacement 5 450 Kg
Standard Draft 1.90m/6'2'
Optional Draft 1.55m/5'1'
Mainsail surface 54m²
Water tank capacity 220L/48 gallons
Fuel tank capacity 160L/35 gallons
Layout 2 cabin/1 head
For more information go to the http://www.dufour-yachts.com/sailboats/grand-large/335!Dufour_website
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