Description

Aquila – Dufour 385 Grand Large, 2005 – 40th anniversary addition
The 2005 London Boat Show display boat, with many extras included from new. Acquired in 2011, Aquila has been a much-loved family cruising yacht, providing fast & safe cruising & spacious accommodation in port. Our cruising area has included the Bristol channel, the English Channel (France, UK including Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly), Brittany, Ireland & Scotland, with the boat having been based in Cardiff throughout our ownership.
Full documentation available, including the original sales brochure, owner’s manual, engine owner’s & workshop manuals, electronics manuals, sale history & UK VAT paid documentation. Aquila is currently SSR registered.
Aquila has been maintained to a high standard & we’ve added many enhancements & upgrades of older systems (e.g. electronics) as detailed below.

Specifications
Make: Dufour
Model: 385 Grand Large
Layout: Single heads, 3x double sleeping cabins, main cabin with optional table conversion for extra double (or even triple!) bed.
LOA: 11.72m / 38’5”
Beam: 3.93m / 12’11”
Draft: 1.76m / 5’9”
Displacement: 6,980Kg
Engine: Volvo Penta 29hp MD2030D / 130S saildrive
Fuel tank capacity: 160 litres
Water tank capacity: 320 litres (2x 160 litres)
Year: 2005
Condition: Used
Location: Cardiff, South Wales, UK
Boat Name: Aquila
Hull Material: Fibreglass

Significant changes/enhancements made after purchase in 2011:
• A “CuProtect” copper plating form of antifouling was applied in 2011. This has been amazing & requires minimum maintenance other than pressure washing. In December 2024 the rudder was re-coated with CopperCoat & the rudder bushes replaced. Steering cable replaced 2018.
• The standard Volvo fixed 2-blade prop has been replaced with a Bruntons Autoprop – a significant investment but a massive performance improvement. Overhauled with new bearings & seals Dec 2024. Rope cutter also fitted. The original Volvo prop has been retained as a spare.
• 100W Solar panel mounted on hatch garage with MPPT regulator.
• Keel removed & re-bedded (2021) for reassurance before embarking on longer term cruising in retirement. Included new keel studs & lightening conductor braid.
• The saildrive gaiter (Volvo specify replacement every 7 years) is brand new this year so replacement won’t be required until 2032.
• All thru-hull fittings & seacocks have been replaced at different times. Galley fittings replaced with DZR fittings. In 2021, the heads (loo, sink & shower) seacocks replaced with TruDesign composite fittings & all associated hoses replaced (including hoses to existing holding tank).
• Mast: Completely re-wired in 2021 with marine grade tinned Copper wire & mast nav lights/anchor light/steaming light replaced with LEDs.
• Standing rigging – regular phased replacement in pairs every 1-2 years ensures maximum 10 years age. Note: aft lowers & intermediates are now due for replacement.
• Sail wardrobe: Main sail replaced with fully battened main sail with roller cars & 3x slab reefs. A Gennaker was included when we purchased the boat. Main & genoa washed & minor repairs completed 2025. Mainsail stackaway & lazy jacks included.

• Deck:
o Teak deck professionally cleaned, sanded & where necessary caulking replaced (Dec 2024).
o Extra turning blocks & clutches added – all running rigging now returns to the cockpit except for the genoa halyard
o Fiddles added to companion way sides under sprayhood to prevent items sliding off.
o Washboard slot replaced. Original was very poor design using a plastic U-channel. Replaced with hardwood frame.
o Gas system: remote shut-off solenoid, controlled from the nav table, & bubble leak detector fitted in the gas locker. Includes 2x Calor gas bottles, & regulators for both Calor gas & camping gas. A gas alarm is installed in the main cabin + 1x smoke alarm & 1x CO alarm
o Water temperature & oil pressure gauges added by engine control panel. The LCD engine hours display failed (as is very common). Replaced with engine hours meter at nav station.
o Bimini on stainless steel frame added. Note canvas UV damaged but included in sale for use as a pattern.

• Below decks: many enhancements, including enhanced storage space.
o Galley & nav table cupboards as standard had just 1x tray/drawer with large empty space above/below. Drawers installed to increase the useable storage space.
o Shelving units in other storage cupboards added, providing much more useable space. The woodwork has been done to a professional standard, & where possible, can be removed to return these spaces to the original specification if preferred.
o Lighting: all filament bulbs have been replaced with LED, & extra LED lights added
o The TV with integral DVD player has been replaced with a smart TV & separate DVD player. The new TV is mounted on an extendable arm to allow a wide range of viewing positions / angles
o The standard 4” mattresses in the for’ard cabin have been replaced with 7” deep pocket sprung mattresses. Aft cabin mattresses have been replaced with a more comfortable combination of standard foam & memory foam.
o Retractable hatch blinds (fly screen & black-out screen) added
o Stays / gas struts added to for’ard locker lids, making access safer & more convenient
o The original main cabin cushions were white - totally impractical! Re-covered in blue.
o Engine bay refitted – original black insulation replaced with silver coated insulation & LED lighting added. This makes working on the engine much easier & safer. Automatic fire extinguisher also installed.
o 2x channel exhaust & cylinder head temperature alarm fitted
o The cooker has been replaced with a Nelson, including 2x gas burners, grill & oven.
o Ducted diesel heater (outlets in all cabins + heads) replaced 2023 with Webasto Evo 40 system
o Heads loo standard size bowl replaced with large bowl

• Electronics
o ICOM M423G VHF DSC radio (at Nav station) with DSC “Command mic” (cockpit) fitted (2018)
o Fusion fm/am stereo system (inc. USB socket for memory stick music) + cockpit controller & speakers in main cabin & cockpit
o An extensive Raymarine system was installed by the previous owner. This included 6x ST60 displays (4x at the helm stations, 2x down below at the nav table. These, plus an ICS Nav6plus Navtex receiver are still present.
o Extra 4x 2A USB sockets added by nav table. Extra 12V/US charging socket added in cockpit
o Electronic automatic bilge pump sensor – no moving parts so not effected by debris.
o Extra switch panel at Nav table – for tablet, Navtex, Gas shut-off solenoid, Saloon downlights, gas alarm, bilge pump.

• New Raymarine system additions in 2018/2019 including:
o Axiom Pro 9 multifunction display in cockpit + Samsung 10” tablet at nav table as a repeater with control capability
o AIS650 class B transmit/receive AIS system + dedicated aerial
o New autohelm electronics, including EV1 sensor core, ACU-200 computer, rudder position sensor & p70s autohelm controller
o Quantum digital radar scanner
o Raystar RS130 GPS receiver (2023)
o Network interfaces to interface the ST1 (ST60s), NMEA0183 (VHF radio, Navtex) & the new STNG networks together to provide seamless integration
o Circuit diagram & documentation for new installation provided.


Other equipment
• Fenders
• Fender step
• Mooring lines
• Safety equipment
o 2x horse shoe lifebelts with lights
o Danbuoy with light
o Heaving line
o Safety lines
• Galley equipment (cutlery, plates, bowls, saucepans, etc.)
• Selection of shackles, chandlery items
• Ensign (on staff) & other flags
• Lashings, mouses & ropes
• 2x buckets
• Anchor ball
• Motoring cone
• Boat hooks
• Jack stays – extra jack stay added on centre line aft of mast.
• Webbing mast climbing ladder
• 2x Bosun’s chairs
• Cup holders
• Netting storage & shelf above for’ard bed added
• Vent in for’ard cabin added
• Step/storage box in for’ard cabin added
• Cockpit cushions added
• Cockpit table cover
• 2x wheel covers
• Tank pump out deck fitting & vent replaced with fitting compatible with pump-out nozzle
• New longer anchor chain (50m) & multiplait (30m)
• New kedge anchor added
• Windlass replaced
• Windlass deck mounted foot switches added
• Running rigging washed every spring & replaced as necessary

Notes
1. Photographs may include items not included in the sale
2. A number of items such as a dinghy, oars, paddles, ePropulsion electric outboard, 6-man liferaft including S/S pushpit mount (liferaft requires service), gennaker furling system, PLBs, Epirb, life jackets & other items are available subject to separate negotiation.

Specifications

Accommodation

Excellent accommodation includes 2x aft double berths, 1x double berth for'ard all including storage shelves, lockers & cupboards. The for'ard cabin includes a 7" pocket sprung mattress (worth over £1000!) which is only ~3 years old. We've also added a mushroom style vent in the forecabin as the only original ventilation is from 2x opening hatches which have to be closed when raining! The aft cabin mattresses have been enhanced with foam toppers. All cabins include USB/12V charging sockets & mains power sockets. The main cabin has new cushions, with enhanced foam & new covers for added comfort, with storage lockers under. It also has the optional dropping table with a cushion insert to provide another double+ - it's makes a huge bed & could actually accommodate 3 adults or even 4x small children! We have also made cockpit cushions for increased comfort under way.

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