The Dufour 380 Sailboat

Published Specification for the Dufour 380

Underwater Profile: Bulb fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 39'0" (11.9m)

Waterline Length: 32'5" (9.9m)

Beam: 12'9" (3.9m)

Draft: 6'3" (1.9m)

Rig Type: Fractional sloop

Displacement: 15,564lb (7,060kg)

Designer: Umberto Felci & Patrick Roséo

Builder: Dufour (France)

Year First Built: 2011

Owners Association: Dufour Owners Association

Published Design Ratios for the Dufour 380

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 14.7

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 27.6

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 203

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 23.9

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

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Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Dufour 380

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 14.7 suggests that the Dufour 380 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 27.6 means that unless the bulk of the ballast is concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, the Dufour 380 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze. 

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 203, tells us the Dufour 380 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 23.9 suggests that crew comfort of a Dufour 380 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 2.0 is on the cusp of suitability for an ocean passage, so venture offshore with caution.