The Dufour 3800 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 25.3′, the Dufour 3800 tops out around 6.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √25.3′ LWL = 6.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
111s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
17.1
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
44.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
232
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
20.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.10
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
962lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
20.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.10
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Dufour 3800 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Dufour 3800
111s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Tanzer 31
165s/nm
Pearson 31 2
180s/nm
Monsun 31
204s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.7 kts),
SA/D (17.1), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Dufour 3800 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Dufour 3800.
|
Dufour 3800 |
Attalia 32 Jeanneau |
Monsun 31 |
Oceanis 301 Beneteau |
Pearson 31 2 |
Tanzer 31 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
30.7 |
30.5 |
30.8 |
30.5 |
30.7 |
30.6 |
| LWL |
25.3 |
25.9 |
24.7 |
26.3 |
25.4 |
25.0 |
| Beam |
10.7 |
10.8 |
9.4 |
10.8 |
10.7 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
8 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
| Ballast |
3 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
439 |
410 |
414 |
430 |
493 |
468 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
111 |
— |
204 |
— |
180 |
165 |
| SA/Disp |
17.1 |
17.2 |
15.1 |
16.1 |
17.1 |
18.3 |
| Bal/Disp |
44.9 |
39.0 |
45.4 |
35.0 |
38.0 |
39.8 |
| Comfort |
20.6 |
17.8 |
27.2 |
— |
24.5 |
21.0 |
| Capsize |
2.10 |
2.22 |
1.80 |
— |
1.98 |
2.08 |
| Hull Speed |
6.7 |
6.8 |
6.7 |
— |
6.8 |
6.7 |