Dufour Grand Large

[abarker]

Hi does anybody have experience of Dufour boats in particular the Grand Large models ?

Are they well built ? Any problems with them ? Good performance ? Value for money ? as they seem to be priced at the top end of the cursing range.

Andre

[barnakiel]

Browse around a little. I heard Bavaria was going to take over Dufour. Not sure if the deal got sealed, but the situation speaks volumes.

I liked some of the old Dufours, but their new boats are just like any other pop outs. Have seen design/quality issues on two of them: once in the keel attachment area, the other time in the cabin roof area.

Aside from my personal dislikes, I think they will be as good or bad as any other mass production boat today - fantastic as a marina condo, holiday boat and up to regular offshore work.

b.

[dmgf]

We have had our Dufour 425 Grand large for 2 months now and have been living aboard since then. We plan on cruising for a few years in Oz. She is a 2007 model with little use by the original private owner. So far, so good, sails well and very comfortable for 2 of us in cruising mode. After looking at Jeanneau (42i/42DS), Beneteau (43 Oceanis), Bavaria etc, for a year and a half we found the standard of finish in the Dufour equal to that of the Jeanneau's we saw and much better than that of the Bene's we saw. We paid about 5 grand more for our Dufour than what we almost paid for a Bene but we feel got a much better boat with alot more gear. Shop around, it is a buyers market. Good luck, hope this helps.
cheers
Denise

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcom aboard the CF, Andre.