Aquila – Dufour 385 Grand Large (2005) | 40th Anniversary Edition
Aquila is a special 40th Anniversary edition of the Dufour 385 Grand Large, first unveiled at the 2005 London Boat Show. This desirable model features the popular three-cabin, one-heads layout, offering a generous owner’s cabin with a true double berth and additional storage.
As the official show boat, Dufour specified Aquila with an extensive range of factory-fitted extras. Consequently, she benefits from a higher level of equipment than many comparable examples. These upgrades continue to enhance comfort, usability, and overall cruising enjoyment.
Since 2011, the current owner has used Aquila exclusively as a private family cruising yacht. As a result, she delivers safe, fast, and predictable sailing in a wide range of conditions. At the same time, her bright interior and practical layout create a welcoming space both underway and alongside.
Throughout current ownership, Aquila has been based in Cardiff. From there, she has cruised widely across the Bristol Channel and the English Channel. In addition, she has visited the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, and the UK south coast. Beyond this, her cruising history includes Brittany, Ireland, and the west coast of Scotland, clearly demonstrating her offshore capability.
Importantly, the owner has maintained Aquila to a consistently high standard. Over the years, they have invested in numerous upgrades, with particular focus on electronics, safety equipment, and cruising comfort. Therefore, her systems are well suited to extended coastal and cross-channel sailing.
Furthermore, Aquila is offered with a comprehensive documentation file. This includes the original sales brochure, owner’s manual, engine and electronics manuals, full service history, and clear evidence of UK VAT paid.
Overall, Aquila presents an excellent opportunity to acquire a well-specified and carefully maintained Dufour 385 Grand Large, ready for immediate cruising.
Construction
White GRP hull and deck
Displacement hull form
Monohull configuration
Aft cockpit layout
Copper antifoul coating
Rudder recoated December 2024
Keel re-bedded with new keel bolts in 2021
SSR registered – SSR146749
Machinery
Volvo MD2030D diesel engine
30 hp
Original engine installation
Approximately 2,312 engine hours (recorded 28/08/2025)
Saildrive transmission
Bruntons Autoprop feathering propeller
Original Volvo propeller retained as spare
Rope cutter fitted
Additional engine monitoring gauges for water temperature and oil pressure
Diesel fuel system
Tankage
Fuel capacity 160 litres in 1 tank
Fresh water capacity 320 litres across 2 tanks
Holding tank capacity 55 litres in 1 tank
Full holding tank system installed
Electrics
12V onboard electrical system
220V shore power system
2 x 105Ah sealed lead-acid domestic batteries
1 x 75Ah sealed lead-acid engine battery (new 2025)
Cristec 25A battery charger
100W solar panel with MPPT regulator
New electrical switch panel
Multiple USB and 12V charging outlets
UK mains sockets in all cabins
Fully integrated electrical systems throughout
Rig & Sails
Fractional sloop rig
Soromap mast and boom
Double spreader mast
Split backstays
Deployable inner forestay
Standing rigging replaced in phases, all under 10 years old
Mast rewired in 2021
LED navigation lights
LED deck floodlight
VHF aerial
TV aerial
Lewmar winches as follows
2 x Lewmar 44.2 ST genoa sheet winches
1 x Lewmar 32.2 ST on starboard side for mainsail and halyards
1 x Lewmar 32.2 ST on port side for additional halyards
Spinnaker sheets run to genoa winches via aft turning blocks
Snatch block and barber hauler included
Sail inventory includes
Fully battened Kemp mainsail (2020), 31.5 sq.m, three reefs, sail cars and cunningham, serviced 2025
140% overlapping genoa, 42.6 sq.m, cockpit-adjustable sheet cars, serviced 2025
Gennaker with Karver furling system
Removable bowsprit for gennaker
Stackpack and lazy jacks fitted
Running rigging washed annually and replaced as required
Accommodation
Eight berths in total
Three cabins
Three double cabins
Two saloon berths
One heads compartment
7-inch pocket sprung mattress in owner’s cabin
Mattress toppers fitted to aft cabins
Domestic
Webasto Evo 40 diesel heating system (2023)
Quick 20-litre calorifier with engine and shore power heating
Nelson cooker with two burners, grill and oven
Fridge fitted
Smart TV
DVD player
Fusion stereo system
Saloon table converts to large double berth suitable for two adults or three children
Enhanced storage throughout
Deck
Quick 1000W electric windlass
Remote control and deck-mounted foot switches
22 kg Delta anchor
50 metres of anchor chain
30 metres of multiplait warp
Kedge anchor with short chain
Navigation
Raymarine Quantum radar
Raymarine Axiom Pro 9 chartplotter
Raymarine p70s autopilot
EV1 sensor
ACU-200 course computer
Raymarine ST60 speed log
Raymarine ST60 wind instrument
Raymarine ST60 depth instrument
Raymarine AIS650 Class B transceiver
ICOM M423G VHF radio
Cockpit command mic
ICS Nav6plus Navtex
Two binnacle compasses
One handheld compass
Onboard wireless network
Samsung 10-inch tablet at navigation station acting as wireless MFD repeater and controller
Primary navigation electronics installed new in 2019 and fully networked
Tenders
Tinker Tramp tender available by separate negotiation
Sailing kit included with tender
Oars included
ePropulsion electric outboard available by separate negotiation
Additional items such as paddles, galley equipment, bosunry, warps and fenders available subject to separate agreement
Safety
Six-man liferaft (service required)
EPIRB fitted
Four lifejackets
Jackstays fitted
Two lifebuoys
One dan buoy
One electric bilge pump
One manual bilge pump
Radar reflector
Emergency tiller
Gas alarm system
Gas solenoid shut-off
Bubble leak detector
Gas system inspection certificate dated 2025
Two personal locator beacons (PLBs)
One fire blanket
Six fire extinguishers
Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith, in this case we are acting as Brokers only. Whilst every care has been taken in their preparation, the correctness of these particulars is not guaranteed. The particulars are intended only as a guide and they do not constitute a term of any contract. A prospective buyer is strongly advised to check the particulars and where appropriate at his own expense to employ a qualified Marine Surveyor to carry out a survey and/or to have an engine trial conducted which if conducted by us shall not imply any liability for such engine on our part.
This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice. Please contact us to book an appointment to inspect any yacht before you book flights or pay for travel. This is to ensure you have a confirmed booking in our diary with the right amount of time allocated to inspect the yachts you want. Our yachts are not all in one marina, yard or harbour and in season do change locations. To avoid disappointment, call or email before you make travel plans.
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Trusted British Yacht Brokers, Established almost 40 years, specialising in Cruising and Blue Water yachts offices in Lefkas Marina, Ionian Greece & Portsmouth / Chichester, UK. We specialise in live aboard blue water cruisers. Experienced, Professional, Qualified – All Brokers are Full Members of ABYA, we work to a code of practice, hold dedicated separate ‘Client’ bank Accounts and carry PI Insurance. As Blue water liveaboard specialists we also have extensive experience in lifting keel / centreboard yachts built in Aluminium and GRP having successfully represented the Feeling, Allures and Garcia Brands over the last 20 years.
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