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Extending its range of cruising boats downward and entering the realm of coastwise cruising, Dufour Yachts has introduced the 325, which bears the same clean, attractive profile and warmly appointed interior as its larger siblings. Thirty-two feet isn't a lot to work with, but by keeping the layout simple, the designers have created an attractive interior that provides the cabins and saloon with adequate space without appearing to squeeze one of the boat's areas to emphasize another.

The saloon settees, proportioned for comfortable sitting and napping, have roomy storage bins beneath. The nav desk has a large work surface and room for instruments. The head, just aft, is an ideal place to hang wet gear, and the small, well-organized galley—with Dufour-logo tableware—is fine for inshore cruising

Separated by the boat's working areas, the two staterooms—one forward, one aft—have adequate berths and well-positioned doors that provide privacy and don't obstruct the spaces into which they open.

The long, straight seats in the cockpit beckon loungers; the stern platform, swimmers. A large seat locker, also accessible from the head, provides stowage for deck gear. One area that could be improved is the lazarette, where some raw fiberglass was exposed.

The helm has a clear view over the low cabin trunk, and the genoa-sheet winches are within reach. Midboom sheeting means a bimini is feasible.

In less than 5 knots of wind, we eked about 2.5 knots out of the sails, though we felt that judicious tuning and trimming might've bought a little more. Under power, the 325 was eager, the 20-horsepower Volvo pushing it at 6 knots at 2,400 rpm and 6.8 knots at 3,000 rpm.

Dufour 325 Specs

LOA: 32' 2"
LWL: 28' 3"
Beam: 11' 2"
Draft (standard): 5' 1"
Sail Area: 471 sq. ft.
Displacement: 10,362 lb.
Water: 42 gal.
Fuel: 24 gal.
Engine: 19-hp. Volvo
Designer: Felci/Roseo
Price: $140,000
Dufour USA Inc., (410) 757-9401, www.dufouryachts.com

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