DUFOUR CLASSIC 38
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 37.58 ft |
| LWL | 32.45 ft |
| Beam | 12.33 ft |
| Draft | 6.42 ft |
| Displacement | 13,530 lb |
| Ballast | 4,620.5 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.6 kn |
About the DUFOUR CLASSIC 38
Shallow draft: 4.75' (disp.: 14432 lbs.)
Designed by Yann Chabaud and Olivier Poncin and built by Dufour, the Classic 38 is a 37.58 ft masthead sloop with a production run starting in 1998. With a displacement of 13530.0 lb and a beam of 12.33 ft, it offers a balanced performance profile with a Comfort ratio of 21.68.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and performance-oriented sailors who value a responsive, lightweight hull with a D/L ratio of 176.77. It is well-suited for those seeking a manageable single-handed or couple-sailed vessel with a max draft of 6.42 ft.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a Capsize ratio of 2.07 and a fin keel, the boat is capable of offshore passages but is best suited for protected coastal and nearshore cruising rather than extreme bluewater expeditions.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other late-90s European performance cruisers like the Beneteau First 36 or Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36.9, due to similar LOA, masthead sloop rigs, and emphasis on sailing performance over heavy displacement.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
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° | 3.8 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| 60° | 4.0 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| 75° | 4.2 | 5.6 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| 90° | 4.1 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 8.3 | 8.6 |
| 110° | 4.0 | 5.5 | 6.6 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 9.0 |
| 120° | 3.8 | 5.3 | 6.5 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 9.0 | 9.6 |
| 135° | 3.4 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.9 | 9.9 |
| 150° | 2.8 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.5 | 9.3 |
| Beat VMG | 2.4 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Run VMG | 2.4 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.8 | 8.5 |
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
21 listings · boat years 1998–2002 · median $63,545
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 37.58ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
4 reported issues across 3 systems for the DUFOUR CLASSIC 38, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a DUFOUR CLASSIC 38? 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 4 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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