DUFOUR 3800
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 30.67 ft |
| LWL | 25.26 ft |
| Beam | 10.66 ft |
| Draft | 5.58 ft |
| Shoal Draft | 4.43 ft |
| Displacement | 8,360 lb |
| Ballast | 3,637.6 lb |
| Material | 16.0 |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.7 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 36.05 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 12.07 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 38.9 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 12.5 ft |
| FLforestay | 12.1 ft |
| Mainsail | 454.4 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 243.5 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 413.9 sq ft |
Accommodation
| Cabins | 1 |
| Berths | 2 |
| Heads | 1 |
| Water | 31.7 L |
| Fuel | 11.9 L |
| CE category | N/A€ |
About the DUFOUR 3800
Also available with fractional rig and a shorter masthead rig. Sold in US as DUFOUR 31 FRERS. Fractional Rig: I: 36.05' J: 12.07' P: 38.9' E: 12.5' Masthead Short: I: 38.05' J: 12.07' P: 32.73' E: 10.17'
Designed by German Frers and built by Dufour SA (FRA) from 1980–1984, the Dufour 3800 is a 30.67 ft masthead sloop with a displacement of 8360.0 lb. While the exact hulls built count is unknown, this model represents a specific era of French production characterized by a fin keel and a comfort ratio of 20.55.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who prioritize interior volume and ease of handling over heavy offshore endurance, given its relatively light displacement and moderate comfort ratio.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.1 and a D/L ratio of 231.56, the boat is better suited for protected coastal waters rather than extended bluewater passages, as its light displacement and fin keel prioritize performance over heavy-weather stability.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats from this era include the Beneteau First 36 and O'Day 36, which share similar beam dimensions and masthead sloop configurations, though the Dufour typically offers a more modern interior layout for its time.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(7 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.4 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 60° | 3.6 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| 75° | 3.7 | 4.9 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 90° | 3.5 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.4 |
| 110° | 3.6 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 120° | 3.5 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 8.4 |
| 135° | 3.1 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 8.4 |
| 150° | 2.6 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.9 |
| Beat VMG | 2.1 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Run VMG | 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 7.4 |
Estimated Value
Medium ConfidenceAsking price by model year
27 listings · boat years 1982–2018 · median $60,066
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 30.67ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
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Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
6 reported issues across 4 systems for the DUFOUR 3800, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a DUFOUR 3800? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 6 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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