BoatsDufour Yachts Classic 38

Dufour Yachts Classic 38

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · First built 1998

A high-performance masthead sloop with a generous sail area-to-displacement ratio, designed for spirited cruising

Designed by Yann Chabaud & Olivier Poncin.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 22 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 22
CoastalBluewater

2.07 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.07
LightHeavy

177 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 177
EasygoingPowered-up

24.0 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 24.0
TenderStiff

34% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 34%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
34.1%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
24.0
Displacement / length
176.8
Comfort ratio
21.7
Capsize screening
2.07
Hull speed
7.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1430
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1998
Designer
Yann Chabaud, Olivier Poncin
Builder
Dufour

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Etap 38i11.57 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop featuring a shallow-draft wing keel, designed for stable cruising and built between 1989 and 1997
Bavaria Yachts 3711.55 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA short-lived production model from 2000-2001, formerly marketed as the Bavaria 36, featuring a masthead sloop rig
Bavaria Yachts 3611.55 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1998-2000 production cruiser featuring a high 21.12 sail area-to-displacement ratio for its 11.55-metre hull
Elan Yachts 38011.34 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Rob Humphreys-designed fractional sloop built for performance with a deep 2.35m draft and a stiff, light hull
Beneteau Oceanis 3811.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA versatile Finot-Conq design offered in three distinct interior layouts, from daysailer to full cruiser
Ericson Yachts 3811.48 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Bruce King-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

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