Dufour 38 Classic

1998 Dufour 38 Classic in a popular 3 cabin layout is a highly sought after yacht and this one is in exceptional condition.

"DREAM CATCHER" is exclusively for sale with DBY Boat Sales.

Built in 1998 when production boats were known for durability and strength.

The Dufour 38 Classic is a fine example of a production yacht. Dufour sailboats have a reputation for being seagoing passagemakers. The builder has a philosophy that stresses a combination of performance and comfort under all manner of weather conditions. The 38 Classic crosses oceans happily and is as at home in the Virgin Islands as the English Channel or sailing The Pacific. The 38's underbody, with its fin keel and fine entries, combines speed and stability with fingertip control, even when reefed in heavy weather.

The 38 has a streamlined deckhouse and slight sheer typical of modern-day cruising boats, with a nicely executed reverse transom that allows for the obligatory swimming and boarding area. It's a good looking yacht, and has a large comfortable cockpit with nicely contoured seats. Wide sidedecks make it possible to move forward safely and rapidly, using the long grabrails on the cabintop. All halyards and sail controls are led aft to the cockpit, and there are self-tailing Lewmars either side of the companionway. A large anchor locker and hefty bow roller clearly make this a boat that rejoices in easy anchoring. A small teak seat is in the bow pulpit.

Visibility from the helm is exceptional, and there is some separation from the crew working the jib and mainsheets, the latter being set over the cabinhouse, giving excellent control of the main. The liferaft stows under the aft helm seat and is close to hand. A convenient grab handle rises from the compass binnacle, and doubles as an instrument bracket. The same fitting also supports the cockpit table and is an excellent place to hold on in rough weather. This is a comfortable seagoing cockpit that very much fits with the character of this boat as a serious passagemaker.

The companionway leads into a large, well-ventilated saloon a dinette to starboard and a slightly curved galley counter to port, with gas stove, deep chest style refrigerator, and lockers. It's very liveable since the cook can simply hand food or drink across to the seated crew. The solid backrest of the midships dinette bench serves as a strategic support for the cook under way, and most things can be reached from this bracing position. The counter space is truly enormous. A well-equipped navigation station, moderm Raymarine electronics with hinged chart table and bench seat is aft of the dinette, with a chart light, nicely placed locker, space for bino's and the electric panel close to hand. There is a large drawer for charts under the table.

The interior is finished with a white deckhead and veneered mahogany, a Dufour trademark, which gives a pleasing effect with its carefully chosen grain patterns. Moving fore and aft under way is made easier by rounded grabrails on either side of the deckhead and the dinette seat back. It's a very comfortable boat. The main stateroom is a large V-berth forward, a head and shower to starboard with a hanging locker opposite. This is in addition to the head that is already slotted in aft of the galley on the port side.

The head is roomy and nicely designed with a comfortable teak shower seat. Two double berths in symmetrical cabins on either side of the companionway under the cockpit, each with its own hanging lockers. Engine access is excellent and achieved by removing the companionway and the engine cover on either side inside the aft cabins.

There are cruising boats that make for comfortable short passages and brief cruises, and then there are cruising boats that have a certain indefinable quality to them that hints at longer voyages and taking any weather the elements throw in along the way. The Dufour has this latter quality and exudes the manners and solidness of a thoroughly confident cruising yacht.

She is easily sailed single-handed or by a couple. A perfect boat for those wanting to sail locally or around Australian waters and will happily take you into The Pacific and beyond, especially if you plan to only have a small crew.

Recent antifoul carried out in May 2024.

Arrange your inspection before it’s too late.

For sale with DBY Boat Sales Pittwater Office in Newport. Please call +61 2 9999 3311 for an inspection. For additional high resolution photos and detailed inventory, please email sales@dbyboatsales.com.au.