Performance Range
Grand'large Range
The press about the Dufour 365 Grand'large
Sailing Today UK
Thanks to her long waterline, plumb stern and short transom platform, she looks like a modern racing boat from the water - especially since her forefoot lifts clear of the water by a few inches when at rest.. Along with a fractional rig, deep rudder and ballast bulb she promises a swisft and sea kinldy sailing perfomrance in almost all conditions. Dufour yachts are built to last and the Dufour 365 is no exception.
Duncan Kent reports about his experience on board during a one week
charter:
"... It wasn't long before the wind instrument was hovering around
the 28kn mark, with gusts of 35kn blowing the top off the short, choppy
wave. Many boats would loose their grip and gripe up, but the 365 seemed
to revel in the conditions and rarely even took spray over the bows.
We put in two reefs before leaving the shelter oft the bay and rounded
the headland a mile or so behind a modern 47ft charter boat. It wasn't
long before we overhauld him and made excellent ground to windward
- thanks to the 365's ability to point up to 35° despite the seas and
double reef. Our average speed and the closehauled windward tacks was
an impressive 7.5kn, increasing to 7.8kn close reaching. Top speed
of the day was 8.9kn surfing downwind as we headed back to the safety
of the sheltered anchorage!
At no time did any of the crew (we had two novices and a nervous non-swimmer
on board) feel frightened: the 365 handeled the conditions effortlessly."
"A good size forward facing chart table. Engine access is good. The
two after cabins are roomy and extremely comfortable."
"Her low coachroof gives good visibility forward."
Verdict: Impressive sailing performance and stability
"The Dufour 365 has pretty much everything you might need in an offshore cruising boat: comfortable and well-planned accommodation, quality fixtures and fitting, easily handled rig and nearly all the features you would need for extended cruising in the standard package. But she's more than just a cosy liveaboard platform, she has a subtly disguised sailing performance that will allow you to make good passage times, - and always aquit herself well even when she's up against a 40-footer."
September 2006 (pages 92-95)
Die Yacht Germany
"Dynamisch ist der Auftritt der neuen Dufour 365 Grand'large. Der Name entspricht eine hundertprozentige Ausrichtung der Yacht aufs Fahrtensegeln. Dennoch verpassten ihre Designer nicht nur schön anzusehende, sondern auch schnelle Linien."
"... ist die Dufour 365 Grand'large eine konsequente Typenerweiterung, die sich nahtlos in das übrige erfolgreiche Programm fügt. Und Sie volzieht einen sauberen Spagat zwischen den widersprüchlichen Forderungen nach Raum und Volumen einerseits sowie Speed und Höhe andererseits. "
Fridtjof GUNKEL
Die Yacht, nr 12/ Juni 2005 (S.62 - 73)