Dufour Arpege 1966
This French 30-footer, designed by Michel Dufour, was well ahead of its time. In addition to its separate skeg hung rudder it has a low centre of gravity bulb keel, wide beam and innovative foam sandwich deck construction. When it was launched sailing in France was on an ascendency and the boat was an immediate success – around 1,500 were built in a production run of almost 10 years.
The design excelled on the race course, where the stability that arises from both the hull shape and the bulb keel provided considerably more sail carrying ability than narrow designs that heel more readily. The Arpege has also proved to be a capable cruiser, whether for local sailing or voyaging across oceans.
The wide beam also helped make the boat a civilised cruiser for its era as it provides exceptional volume for accommodation and stowage. The layout below decks is unusual, but works well. At the foot of the companionway are the galley, chart table and two quarter berths. The main saloon is forward of this, ahead of a bulkhead and is well lit, thanks in part to a large overhead opening hatch. The two full-length settees make excellent sea berths; outboard of these there were originally also two pilot berths, which are small by today’s standards but are excellent for stowage. The forepeak houses the heads area and yet more stowage.