The Dufour 65 is with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
9.7 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 52.8′, the Dufour 65 tops out around 9.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √52.8′ LWL = 9.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
200
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
38.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.78
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
9.7kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
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
38.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.78
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Dufour 65.
| Dufour 65 | Baltic 64 | Cnb 66 | Little Harbor 63 | Swan 651 | Swan 68 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 65.0 | 64.2 | 67.6 | 63.8 | 65.7 | 67.7 |
| LWL | 52.8 | 50.5 | 60.5 | 48.7 | 55.1 | 54.7 |
| Beam | 18.0 | 17.3 | 18.1 | 17.3 | 17.5 | 17.8 |
| Displacement | 66 | 56 | 68 | 65 | 75 | 88 |
| Ballast | — | 24 | 20 | 27 | 31 | 35 |
| Sail Area | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| SA/Disp | — | 19.9 | 22.2 | 19.3 | 18.8 | — |
| Bal/Disp | — | 43.9 | 30.1 | 41.5 | 42.0 | 40.0 |
| Comfort | 38.6 | 35.7 | 35.9 | 42.6 | 44.3 | — |
| Capsize | 1.78 | 1.81 | 1.77 | 1.72 | 1.66 | — |
| Hull Speed | 9.7 | 9.5 | 10.4 | 9.4 | 9.9 | — |