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"Water Boys" Dufour 36 Performance 2016
K-Nautisme invites you to discover the Dufour 36 Performance, a racing-cruising sailboat launched in 2016. This model, known for its versatility, has had several lives with the same owner. Firstly in racing, notably participating in the Transquadra 2017-2018, illustrating its ability to tackle various conditions with agility. Also in cruising, where it has delighted its owner and his small family.
Its length of 10.99 m and width of 3.61 m provide excellent stability while preserving the liveliness expected of a sailboat in this class.
Table of Contents
Performance and Versatility
Sail Sets
The Dufour 36 Performance is a sailboat that stands out for its versatility, attracting both cruising enthusiasts and racing competitors. Equipped with two sets of sails, one in Dacron for cruising and the other in Kevlar for racing, this boat offers exceptional adaptability to meet diverse sailing and competition demands. The Dacron sail set, more flexible and durable, is ideal for leisurely and extended navigations, prioritizing comfort and longevity. These sails are less prone to degradation from UV rays and bad weather, making the Dufour 36 particularly suitable for long crossings and relaxing sea escapades.
On the other hand, the Kevlar sail set, significantly lighter and stiffer, transforms the Dufour 36 into a serious competitor during regattas. Kevlar allows a significant reduction in sail weight, offering better response and performance in strong winds and quick maneuvers. This configuration capitalizes on the boat's agility and speed, allowing skippers to make the most of racing conditions. This sail set was mainly used for the 2017 Transquadra, with a complete overhaul upon its return.
This dual sail equipment gives the Dufour 36 Performance a rare flexibility, allowing owners to modulate their sea experience according to their desires, whether for a peaceful outing or the thrill of competition. Thus, the Dufour 36 Performance presents itself as an excellent choice for those seeking to combine sailing pleasure with sporting performance, without compromising on quality and reliability.
The Spinnakers
Water Boys is offered for sale with two spinnakers in excellent condition. A very large white medium "runner" of 125 m² for long stretches in light winds. For simpler maneuvers and slightly stronger winds, you have a smaller red medium spinnaker of 95 m² that will hoist to the cap shroud halyard.
These spinnakers will be mounted on their aluminum pole. The bowsprit initially used for the asymmetric spinnaker remains installed, but the latter is no longer available.
Other Sails
To comply with World Sailing offshore racing rules, the boat is also delivered with safety sails: storm jib and trysail. Fortunately, these have never been used.
Summary Inventory of Sails
| Sail | Description | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Fully Battened Mainsail / 2 Reefs | Kevlar Membrane | 44 m² |
| Medium Genoa 3 Battens | Kevlar Membrane | 34 m² |
| Heavy Weather Solent 2 Battens / 1 Reef | Kevlar Membrane | 27 m² |
| Symmetrical Spinnaker "Runner" Medium | Isocut 0.9 oz | 125 m² |
| Symmetrical Spinnaker Medium: NEW | 0.9 oz | 95 m² |
| Numbered Dacron Mainsail | 4 battens, 2 reefs | 41 m² |
| Overlapping Genoa 110% | 31 m² | |
| Trysail | ||
| Storm Jib |
The Cockpit and Exterior Configuration
The cockpit of Water Boys is spacious, truly spacious. Equipped with two removable lockers, these can be removed for a racing configuration, both to save a bit of weight and to provide more room for crew maneuvers.
The twin steering wheels are very impressive but also very practical, whether the helmsman positions himself windward or leeward to better see the spinnaker in light winds.
The engine controls are located to starboard, with a good view of everything happening on the boat during port maneuvers. It's at the port where you'll appreciate having only a single central rudder, much more practical for turning. And this very deep rudder doesn't stall, even at large heeling angles. The boat is generally very stiff under sail.
The Mainsheet
By default, the Dufour 36 Performance comes with a "German" mainsheet system, managed by the two winches on each side. This is very pleasant for cruising, as there are fewer lines in the cockpit. However, in racing mode or even fast cruising, the boat is also delivered with a more classic mainsheet setup, with two tackles, allowing finer and quicker adjustments than the German system. Switching from one configuration to the other takes less than 15 minutes at the port.
Discover the cockpit of Water Boys below:
Electronics - Top-notch Equipment!
As you've gathered, Water Boys has been optimally equipped for a mixed racing-cruising program, notably offshore and rather with a small crew/family. Therefore, it was important to have reliable and high-performance electronic installation.
NKE, NKE, NKE
Undoubtedly a reference in marine electronics, and French to boot, NKE provides reliable and durable equipment. Water Boys is equipped with NKE from head to toe. Only the autopilot motor is not NKE, as they do not offer rotary motors for wheel steering.
NKE and Autopilot Inventory
| Equipment | Notes |
|---|---|
| 2 x Multigraphic | In the cockpit, on each side of the companionway |
| Windvane Anemometer | |
| Pilot Gyro 2 Calculator | |
| True Wind and Ground Speed Option | |
| Compass | |
| Rudder Angle Sensor | |
| Ultrasonic Log-Speed Sensor | |
| HF GPS | |
| Lewmar Integra Rotary Autopilot | |
| TL25 | 3-screen mast display |
| WiFi/USB + NMEA Interface | PC/tablet connection to onboard instruments |
| AIS Receiver + Class B Transponder | |
| Display Remote Control | |
| Autopilot Remote Control | |
| Barometer |
Other Electronic Equipment
| Equipment | Notes |
|---|---|
| Zeus 9 Chartplotter | |
| Fixed VHF iCOM 25W DSC/GPS | |
| Fusion Radio + Bluetooth | |
| Cockpit Speakers | With automatic switch between VHF and Fusion radio |
| EPIRB Beacon | |
| Wireless Remote for Windlass |
Discover the Electronics in Video
Comfort and Life On Board
The Saloon and Chart Table
Very pleasant to live in with a comfortable headroom (average of 1.83 m), the saloon can easily accommodate 6 guests at the table. This central table will serve as storage. Its starboard side is foldable to leave free passage to the forward cabin, the port side can be lowered to transform the port bench into a double berth.
Very bright, the portholes at bench height offer a superb view of the water, sometimes submerged when heeling.
Somewhat contrary to current trends, the chart table is spacious and has good storage. Its seat is adjustable for heeling to maintain comfort on starboard tack.
The Forward and Aft Cabins
The Forward Cabin
Accessible through double doors that will generally remain open at sea, the forward cabin allows two tall adults to sleep in full comfort, heads towards the bow without bothering each other. It will be possible to add a textile lee cloth not provided.
Two large lockers on each side, including a hanging locker to starboard, will allow enough clothing storage for beautiful navigations.
The Aft Cabin
Even though half of the aft cabin is under the cockpit and therefore has a slightly lower ceiling, it remains very spacious and comfortable, also offering a double locker/hanging space.
From this cabin, you will have access to the two service batteries.
Galley and Storage
The Galley
Right by the companionway on port side, the L-shaped galley is well arranged, giving very easy access to the 2-burner stove with oven, refrigerator, numerous storage spaces, and the double sink that you can supply with seawater using a foot pump.
Bathroom / Toilets
On starboard near the companionway, the bathroom offers a showerhead with hot water. The mixed 220V (at the port) and heat exchanger water heater heats up very quickly. In a few minutes of anchoring maneuvers, you'll have hot water for several hours.
The Technical Locker
Dufour offered the 36 Performance in several configurations, including a 3-cabin version. The term was somewhat exaggerated, as it was just a spartan arrangement of the technical locker located on port side behind the bathroom. Difficult access, limited comfort, odors from the bathroom and engine—it was not chosen in this configuration.
However, this technical locker is extremely practical for storing equipment, sails, dinghy, and its engine. Accessible both from the bathroom and from the rear of the cockpit, it can store both dry and wet items. Very spacious, it will allow you to keep the cockpit, deck, and saloon very tidy.
At Anchor
Because cruising is also, and a lot, about anchoring, Water Boys will allow you to fully enjoy it.
Firstly, regarding the anchor, the original one from the shipyard, a bit light, has been replaced with something much more suitable for long stays: 12 kg anchor, 50 m of 10 mm chain, and 30 m of rope.
Then, thanks to its generous keel and width, the boat is very stable, even in moderate swell.
The swim platform lowers and gives you access to the ladder so that the more cautious can dip their feet and the more daring can climb back from swimming. The cockpit showerhead (hot/cold water) will allow you to rinse off or quickly clean the cockpit.
A Top-Notch Structure, Fully Renovated
The Engine
Water Boys' engine is the standard Volvo 29 HP, obviously diesel, accompanied by a 70-liter tank.
Fully serviced in April 2024, including the replacement of the engine mounts and the sail-drive seal (required by insurers every 7 years, otherwise beware of compensation in case of water ingress), Water Boys is set for years without major work; you'll obviously just need to plan an annual service. An in-depth cleaning of the tank was even carried out to ensure no bacteria were left.
The Rigging
Unfortunately, in 2023, during a dismasting, it turned out that the mast had suffered slight deformation at the deck passage. It was therefore decided to replace it with a new one. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the standing rigging was also replaced with new: forestay, shrouds of course, but also some textile with a new backstay.
Note that it is recommended to replace the standing rigging every 10 years; you will therefore be worry-free for at least 8 years, with new equipment.
Price and Contact
For any questions regarding this boat, to arrange a visit or a video presentation, contact the advertiser:
Photos
The videos presented above should allow you to get a good idea of the boat's details; we also provide all kinds of photos. Some may not be particularly "commercial," as we believe it's important to see a boat when it's alive, when it's sailing.