Dufour vs Hunter

[prrthead]

In the past I''ve never seemed to get much advice...hope this is different:

I''m currently considering a 1973 Dufour Safari (27'') vs. a 1981 Hunter 27''. The Hunter line seems to have a 50-50 split of lovers & haters, but I can''t find any real info on the Dufour. Does anyone have any advice or information that can help?

[SailorMitch]

If you don''t get any info here (and it''s looking doubtful, huh?) post your question on the Sailnet Dufour email list. I monitor that list and someone else just bought a Dufour 27 and posted a question about it. So maybe you could catch up with that fellow. Also, check out www.classicdufour.com.

Good luck. Lots of older Dufours out there still sailing after all these years.

[h37skipper]

A 50-50 split sounds about right, lots of Hunter bashers out there. You can learn a lot about the H27 over at www.hunterowners.com. Check out the Cherubini Forum and search the Forum Archives. The Cherubinis are a solid, seaworthy boat. The only consistent negative I read about the H27 is the one lung Yanmar. In areas of heavy currents or tides they may be underpowered.

[Naught]

Prrthead, Hope I''m not too late. I owned a ''72 Dufour Safari from ''74 to ''97. It is currently docked two slips away. Buy it over a Hunter. Great design--look how deep and dry the cockpit is. The thumper engine takes some getting used to but it is reliable, cheap to run (use automotive oil filters that fit instead of the Volvo), heavy duty and quality. My view of Hunter''s is, I wouldn''t own one; some cute design elements but cheap contruction and fittings. The Safari is a great sailing boat and goes upwind very well. I have a Morgan 32 now and sometimes regret the switch. No regrets about owning the Safari for most of my sailing life.
Geoff Gillis

[h37skipper]

Naught''s reply above is typical of those from the Hunter bashers. He has no idea what a Cherubini Hunter is. And would not want to know.