1984 Nautor Swan 57 vs Dufour 520 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Nautor Swan 57 | Dufour 520 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Dufour |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.37 m (57.0 ft) | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) |
| LWL | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 23,587 kg (52,000 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 130.0 m² (1,399 ft²) | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and Dufour 520 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 was penned by German Frers. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 measures 17.37m (57.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.57m, compared to the Dufour 520 Grand Large at 15.80m (51.8ft) with a 4.69m beam. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is 1.57m longer than the Dufour 520 Grand Large. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 displaces approximately 63% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.05 and 130.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 520 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 18.79 and 110.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 520 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.64). The Dufour 520 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The Dufour 520 Grand Large offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 550L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Dufour 520 Grand Large has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 520 Grand Large offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1984 Nautor Swan 57 · Dufour 520 Grand Large