1979 Dufour 35 Sloop11m

Notre Temps (Our Time)is a Dufour 35, built in La Rochelle, France.  Michel Dufour's 35 was the first big boat to launch his career. They built 450 35's between 1971 and 1982.  This impressive boat built in 1979 is a well designed fiberglass production boat, thoughtfully designed for fast, comfortable offshore passages and easy day sailing.  With a large fin keel for stability and a protected rudder behind a full skeg, she maneuvers easily.  Thoughtfully outfitted, well maintained, this sweet design won't be around for long. 

Accommodations

Impressive for a 35' boat, marketing says she's designed to sleep between 7 and 8 people on 2 double berths, 2 pilot berths, a large quarter berth and settee.  The molded interior liner, large hatches and deadlights make for a very clean, bright and comfortable interior.  The cushions are in great shape, and the boat is clean!  The owners loved, equipped and cared about this boat!  

Entering the interior with 3 steps, there is a colorful blue galley on the port side, with double sinks with hot and cold pressured water, 3-burner ENO propane stove and oven. Frigoboat Marine condenser-plate freezer provides easy access refrigeration, large enough it comes with a SS wire basket.  There's a large pantry, and plenty other nooks and crannies for utensils, knives, food and pot storage. One clever design is the cupboard that folds down to form extra prep space. The hinge-out utensil drawer is another nice touch. 

On the starboard side is a large navigation table with plenty of storage around and under the table. Above the navigation table is the fixed-mount Raymarine DHF VHF and a questionable stereo is mounted outboard for the salon speakers.  Bins hold binders of equipment info, all carefully logged, and fire extinguishers, horn, etc.  The Nav-seat folds down for a longer sleeping settee. 

Aft of the Nav-station is a very large quarter berth, with a hanging locker and discretely hidden sink.  As usual, it's the garage, with spinnaker and genoa, a full set of deck cushions, shade awning, unmounted Mobri Radar Reflector and a big bag of lifejackets. 

The sound insulated engine compartment is below the companionway steps, with the big Racor 500 fuel filter handy.  The 3-Cylinder, Naturally Aspirated, 1.64-liter diesel engine, with KM35P Gear is rated 38 HP at 3000rpm, plenty of power for this 13,900lb sailboat.  The cooling antifreeze reservoir and Groco Water Strainer are easy to reach in the aft Port lazarette, and the water pump impeller is right in front - where it should be! 

Forward of the galley and navigation table is the salon with 6' 3" headroom (reported). A large, overhead hatch and two in-hull port-lights provide plenty of natural light. The big table folds out to accommodate dinner guests or lowers to provide an extra double berth. Two surprisingly comfortable pilot berths are located adjacent to the deadlights, above the main salon seating.  A favorite kiddy choice, these cozy berths are safely secured with lee boards. A French-built boat is not complete without the built-in wine racks under both settees, check!

Forward of the salon is the head compartment with two doors for privacy. On the starboard side of the head compartment is the vanity with a pull-out shower and plenty of storage above and below. On the port side is the Jabsco manual head, and another hanging locker, and more cubbies. The head feeds into a 25 gal. custom poly holding tank with macerator to pump overboard or more commonly, through the deck fitting at the pump-out.

The master cabin in the bow, is not a V-berth - Surprise! The double pullman berth is on the port side of the cabin with hanging locker on starboard. There is extra shelves around the cabin and plenty of storage underneath the berth. Another large tinted hatch provides light and star-gazing from the berth.  The anchor locker is forward, and there is quite a strong structure supporting the windlass. 

Cockpit and Deck

A large, deep, protected cockpit provides comfortable and dry sailing in most all conditions. The seat-back support is the best I've seen! She is outfitted with wheel steering, compass, and a classic Yanmar panel with gauges and "idiot lights".  Note the single throttle control-yea!

Two large Lewmar 48-ST double-speed winches are within easy reach, along with the double block mainsheet pulley on the bridge deck traveler. Two smaller Lewmar winches are mounted on the mast for halyards, and there's a reefing winch under the boom. Raymarine instruments display boat speed, windspeed and direction, and depth on a protected pad above the companionway.  The aft-seating cockpit design makes for easy single handing, with sail controls near the helm.  There's a good propane locker, more storage, lifesling, stern-gate, boarding ladder and even a 2HP Honda on the stern. 

Forward on the almost flush deck and midships is the French Marco Polo anodized aluminum mast with internal halyards; matching boom supported by a rigid vang, a sail control led to the cockpit. The 110% genoa is furled on the ProFurler furler. 

The Main sail has one upper full batten and the rest, partial battens for easy sail control. The adjustable Reacher pole is stored vertically on the mast eliminating the usual trip hazard.

The primary anchor is a big CQR with 100 feet of heavy chain with swivel, led to the impressive Lofrans Kobra windlass with foot switches and a handy remote control. A large Fortress anchor with chain and rode is the secondary anchor in the aft lazarette.  This rare boat has a Samson post, not just cleats and chocks hidden under the covered Achilles inflatable. 

Invite

The Dufour 35 is a strong solid and comfortable choice, a very capable boat you can grow into for years.  The deep cockpit has better seats than most 40’ boats.  The flush deck is easy to move around on, and makes for a surprisingly large cabin below.  Well cared for and clean with a nice Yanmar 3-cyl diesel professionally maintained, logs and manuals, this is the kind of boat folks are looking for, sometimes for years!  

Hope to see you soon!  Thanks, Lee