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Dufour 29
Designer: Michel Dufour  ·  Builder: Dufour (Fra)  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Dufour 29

Built during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Michel Dufour's 29-footer represents a well-balanced approach to small yacht design from France's prominent Dufour yard. This masthead sloop showcases the era's preference for moderate proportions, with a beam of 9.67 feet providing comfortable interior volume while maintaining reasonable performance characteristics. The fin keel and skeg-hung rudder configuration delivers predictable handling qualities that appeal to both cruising sailors and those learning offshore sailing techniques. With a displacement of 7,250 pounds and 2,645 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes a sensible balance between stability and performance, supported by a comfort ratio of 20.7 that suggests reasonable motion in seaway conditions. The 364 square feet of sail area provides adequate power for coastal cruising and light offshore passages, while the hull's 6.71-knot theoretical hull speed indicates respectable performance for a cruising-oriented design. The fiberglass construction has proven durable over the decades, and many examples remain active in today's used boat market. This model suits sailors seeking a manageable size for coastal exploration, weekend cruising, and gaining offshore experience, offering French build quality in a practical package that doesn't overwhelm newer sailors while providing room for growth.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.33 ft / 8.94 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.08 ft / 7.64 m
Beam 9.67 ft / 2.95 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 7,250.00 lb / 3,289 kg
Ballast 2,645.00 lb / 1,200 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 364.00 ft² / 33.82 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Michel Dufour
Builder Dufour (FRA)
First Built 1975
Last Built 1984
Related Sailboats ["First 30 Beneteau Mauric" · "Hallberg Rassy 29" · "Alberg 29" · "Seidelmann 295" · "Lancer 30 2"]
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 171
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 15.6
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 36.48
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 205.17
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 20.7
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.71 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.48
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 866.56 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 15.59
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 35.70 ft / 10.88 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 30.80 ft / 9.39 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.30 ft / 3.14 m
SA Fore 205.28 ft² / 19.07 m²
SA Main 158.62 ft² / 14.74 m²
SA Total (100%) 363.90 ft² / 33.81 m²
Est. Forestay Length 37.51 ft / 11.43 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Model MD6A
Engine Type Diesel
How It Compares

vs. Alberg 29, Hallberg Rassy 29, Seidelmann 295

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Dufour 29 ★
29.3 ft
Alberg 29
29.3 ft
Hallberg Rassy 29
29.2 ft
Seidelmann 295
29.4 ft
LWL
Dufour 29 ★
25.1 ft
Alberg 29
22.3 ft
Hallberg Rassy 29
23.8 ft
Seidelmann 295
24.4 ft
Beam
Dufour 29 ★
9.7 ft
Alberg 29
9.2 ft
Hallberg Rassy 29
9.3 ft
Seidelmann 295
10.2 ft
Displacement
Dufour 29 ★
7 lbs
Alberg 29
9 lbs
Hallberg Rassy 29
8 lbs
Seidelmann 295
7 lbs
Ballast
Dufour 29 ★
2 lbs
Alberg 29
4 lbs
Hallberg Rassy 29
3 lbs
Seidelmann 295
3 lbs
Sail Area
Dufour 29 ★
364 sq ft
Alberg 29
417 sq ft
Hallberg Rassy 29
538 sq ft
Seidelmann 295
408 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Dufour 29 ★
171 s/nm
Alberg 29
225 s/nm
Hallberg Rassy 29
—
Seidelmann 295
183 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Dufour 29 ★
15.6
Alberg 29
15.5
Hallberg Rassy 29
20.9
Seidelmann 295
17.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Dufour 29 ★
36.5 %
Alberg 29
—
Hallberg Rassy 29
46.1 %
Seidelmann 295
44.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Dufour 29 ★
20.7
Alberg 29
29.9
Hallberg Rassy 29
26.2
Seidelmann 295
19.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Dufour 29 ★
2.00
Alberg 29
1.77
Hallberg Rassy 29
1.83
Seidelmann 295
2.11
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Dufour 29 ★
205
Alberg 29
—
Hallberg Rassy 29
277
Seidelmann 295
220
Hull Speed
Dufour 29 ★
6.7 kts
Alberg 29
6.3 kts
Hallberg Rassy 29
6.5 kts
Seidelmann 295
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Dufour 29 ★
2.5
Alberg 29
1.2
Hallberg Rassy 29
1.8
Seidelmann 295
2.5
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