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The Dufour 29 is approximately 29’ 6” long with a 10 ft beam, offering 5 berths as “standard” (apparently some were built with an additional quarter berth). Most have a masthead rig, with a choice of shoal or deep fin keels. In appearance it looks very similar to the Dufour 2800, which most people know. It is only when they are side by side that the difference in size is apparent.
The 29 is a rare vessel, both in the U.K. and in Europe, as the majority of the hulls went to the United States. Perhaps because they are unknown, they represent very good value for money, offering a better turn of speed (on paper) than the 2800 and larger accommodation, for about the same price.
Below decks is bright and airy with ample windows, large hatches in the fore cabin and saloon and two Dorads in the heads. There is good standing headroom throughout the boat and handholds abound.
Up forward is a large V-berth with standing headroom in the cutout, putting in the infill, makes a very comfortable double berth. The water tank is under the main part of this berth, which restricts the storage to two small bins under the top cushions. However there are two long and deep side shelves.
Moving aft, the heads are to starboard and include a distinctive hand basin/vanity unit (very seventies orange!). Although the heads are small by modern standards they work well in practice. Opposite the heads, on the port side, and hidden behind the heads doors, is a large hanging locker with storage bins built into the door.
The saloon has a standard layout for a boat of this era, with a straight settee on the port side and an “L” shaped settee on the starboard side. The table, which is fixed in the centre of the boat, opens up to a very handy size. Comfortably seating 6 for eating and, from personal experience, it will easily accommodate 8.
For sleeping the port seat is a reasonable 6’ 4” long and with the addition of a lee-cloth makes a comfortable sea berth. The starboard berth hides the batteries and is similar to the port berth in size. However, there is an infill section that pulls out from under this berth. With the addition of the seatback cushions this converts into a respectable double.
Storage behind the cushions is good with spacious lockers but because of the moulded lining to the boat the space below the bunks is limited.
The rear bulkhead supports the chart table to starboard. This is half chart size and has a hinged top that lifts to reveal a large storage space. There are a couple of storage bins for books etc and there is ample space for instruments on the bulkhead. However, care must be taken when mounting them as any “breaking through” must be done in the cockpit locker area and then the backs of the instruments will have to be protected against knocks and water splashes. The chart table has its own dedicated seat, which is unusual for a boat of this size and when the top is removed it reveals a deep storage bin.
To port there is a poor excuse for a galley area. This consists of a small sink, a huge cool box in the corner that is almost impossible to access and a gimballed two-burner cooker. Unfortunately, the cooker is perched on top of the moulded corner unit and restricts access to the otherwise adequate storage area behind it. Below the cooker is a huge deep drawer, which could never be filled plus a reasonable cupboard. There is not a proper work surface. The “galley” is one area that really needs sorting on any Dufour 29.
The companionway lifts out to give reasonable access to the front of the engine. The rear of the engine is accessed via the starboard cockpit locker. The engines used seem to have been the good old 2 cylinder Volvo Penta or COUACH.
In the cockpit there are deep lockers each side, with the fuel tank and ventilated gas locker filling the rear of the port locker. The engine controls are mounted on the starboard side of the cockpit. The cockpit will comfortably seat five under way and six at a pinch. The sail controls are at the mast but by now most boats will have been converted to roller headsail and slab reefing main. Which means you will not have to leave the cockpit that often. When you do have to go, the side decks are wide and uncluttered, with a handhold going all the way to the front of the coach-roof. The area around the mast is flat and the non-slip seems to work quite well. However, beware of the front slope of the coach roof, which is as slippery as hell. The foredeck is spacious and flat. There is a reasonable locking anchor well and a beefy double bow roller. All the deck gear is up to the task although, due to the age of the boat, the sheet travellers have to be moved by hand (no pulleys). This can be nasty under load and is an indication that, in its standard form, this is not a boat for “round the cans”.
Under sail the boat is vice free at all points. The helm is light but there is a fair amount of initial heel and there is plenty of warning before the rudder starts to loose its grip. The large genoa drives the boat well and it is quite easy to see 6knts in a fair wind. However, an early reef when cruising ensures a more level sail. There does not seem to be a tendency to slam in a heavier sea and the progress in anything other than steep waves is quite smooth, the bows slicing through the waves rather than bouncing over them.
Under power, a lot depends upon the power unit and prop but, in reverse, the authors boat has one hell of a prop-walk to starboard. Makes marina work “fun”!
All in all a little known boat but yet again another Dufour success story?
Thanks to Adrian Mac Donald of La Pêche for this description of the Dufour 29. April 2001
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