Dufour 385 Grand Large

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The company provides information regarding this vessel in good faith but is not able to guarantee the accuracy of this information or the condition of the vessel. It is the buyer's responsibility to instruct their agents or experts to verify and validate the information of their choice. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale.

SAIL & ENGINE

The Dufour shipyard was spot on when it launched the 385 Grand Large in 2004, the first of a new revamped cruising range that has since sold over 500 units. We found a perfectly maintained opportunity moored at one of the docks in the Pornic marina.

WELL SECURED against its catwalk and a multitude of fenders, our Dufour immediately charms with its flattering lines, thanks to the design by Umberto Felci – partnered with Patrick Roséo for the interior design. Acquired in 2017 by Jean-Paul Rousse, this 2005 Dufour 385 – a third hand after ten years of rental in Marseille at Soleil Rouge and then a few years spent in Port-Médoc – still presents very well.

While the gel coat on the deck appears a bit worn in some places, the overall impression is that of a well-maintained sailboat. But time is of the essence as we have an appointment in half an hour at the foot of the crane for the launch. The tide quickly reveals itself with these spring tide coefficients, even at the foot of the maintenance area. Here, one must pay close attention to the tide times. We will learn this the hard way a few hours later by gently grounding without causing damage in the sand at the entrance of the Pornic ria.

With nearly 1.80 m of draft, vigilance will be necessary if one wishes to venture into shallow waters... Despite the narrowness of the beams, L'Harmattan II maneuvers smoothly when leaving our berth thanks to its deep scoop and its three-blade propeller on saildrive powered by an ultra-quiet 40 hp Volvo inboard.

THE DUFOUR 385 DISPLAYS A WELL-BORN HULL

Once in the slings, the balance of the hull is striking! Some roundness but not too much, a gentle rising bow, fairly fine water entries, and a keel plunging to 1.76 m associated with a bulb to ensure stiffness under sail characterize the underside of the Dufour 385.

Moreover, recently antifouled in royal blue by a professional, the underwater parts present themselves in their finest attire. Aside from a few micro-peelings of primer here and there, we can only note the high degree of preparation of this opportunity. The expert's tour will only confirm this feeling: no peeling of the keel joint, no signs of grounding or abnormal stress on the structure, rudder well aligned with no play at the bearings, through-hull in good condition, no signs of osmosis. Only the saildrive seal would need to be changed, which is not much!

As for the topsides, aside from a few scratches hidden by discreet pieces of tape, nothing to report either. It must be said that the stainless steel protection on the dented bow seems to have played its protective role well. With the expert back on board, we are once again afloat, ready to test our mount in the treacherous bay of Bourgneuf. An opportunity to appreciate this deck plan that seems well optimized for fast and comfortable cruising.

A MODERN DECK PLAN

The coachroof, for example, rounded but discreet, perfectly fits the spirit of this voluminous sailboat under the deck and practical to navigate outside. The cockpit, trapezoidal in shape, boasts beautiful dimensions with bench lengths (1.40 m) that invite relaxation. In the center, a folding wooden table adorned with a handrail proves practical for moving around while heeled.

Furthermore, movement is facilitated by the adoption of two steering wheels that clear the path to the transom. This, which incorporates a post-swim shower, is accessible as soon as the upper part of the transom is rotated, the lower part serving to shelter the liferaft, well thought out!

Regarding storage, four lockers – two symmetrical ones are integrated into the cockpit benches while the other two serve as helm seats – ensure good storage capacity and allow for planning a cruise with all the equipment. In light winds, we hoist the mainsail framed by a still sturdy lazy-bag in a flash while the overlapping genoa (140%) quickly shows its ability to pull this 6,500 kg displacement even in less than 8 knots of wind.

The sails are in good condition, as is the deck hardware, which is also very functional. Two winches – Harken format 32 – flank the descent to handle all maneuvers without ever having to leave the cockpit. Shortly after its acquisition, Jean-Paul had the classic piano lines returned, the third reef, and the tack of the asymmetrical spinnaker added for safety while also adding two large cleats to avoid spaghetti in the bottom of the cockpit.

The same goes for the genoa cars, originally with pistons, which have been replaced by all-purpose cars running on their track via a back-and-forth system on each side. A good point also for the winches, still Harken but in 44, which return to the helmsman's hand. Perfect for controlling everything from the back, especially since the instruments (speedo, depth sounder, autopilot, and anemometer) are placed on the steering console.

AND A LOT OF VOLUME BELOW DECK!

Across, we decide to hoist the large asymmetrical spinnaker on a sock with the tack secured on a small bowsprit to take advantage of the pressure that is gently starting to fill the water. If the running rigging and the forestay have been recently changed, the standing rigging is original. Upon purchase, care must be taken to avoid unpleasant surprises. With 100 m2 of sail, we quickly start to accelerate while the helm, always well balanced, responds instantly.

The maneuver is once again carried out smoothly and without expending a lot of energy, proof that this sailboat aligns well with its ambition of being an easy cruiser. The apparent wind created by our speed quickly forces me to go down to fetch a light sweater in the cabin. The available volume on board is striking, as is this large, cozy, and bright saloon offset to starboard. With its beam nearly 4 meters, it was even possible for the shipyard to install an additional central bench facing the traditional U-shaped bench. The large table entirely surrounded by seats suggests a saloon where it is easy to sit six during meals.

A large deck hatch provides welcome zenithal lighting, and the resting crew can even enjoy the view of the sea thanks to hull portholes, unfortunately partially blocked on the starboard side by the onboard bookshelf. The long galley that dominates to port, while allowing for ample storage with a deep fridge and unbeatable countertop for a unit of this size, seemed impractical to use at sea.

Impossible to settle in while heeled! However, we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the chart table in the age of electronic cartography. At the front, the large owner's cabin once again reflects the search for a certain comfort.

It features a large double berth, plenty of storage (closet, wardrobe, and shelves) and even a toilet. To accommodate the rest of the crew, the two other symmetrical double cabins positioned at the back are spacious and equipped with good storage capacity. A small downside is that the presence of the water and diesel tanks under the mattresses does not allow for storing provisions in that area.

Lost in my exploration, I do not see the time pass as the marina's moorings of Pornic already loom ahead of us. After a hassle-free docking maneuver, we are back on solid ground. And it is with regret that we leave this well-designed sailboat, with careful finishes and impeccable maintenance. A golden opportunity that will surely make someone happy. Be careful, it won't stay on the market for long!