1996 Contest 48CS vs Dufour 520 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | Dufour 520 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Dufour |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | 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 | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and Dufour 520 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Dufour 520 Grand Large at 15.80m (51.8ft) with a 4.69m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 1.17m longer than the 1996 Contest 48CS. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 3% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Contest 48CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.39 and 98.0 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 1996 Contest 48CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The Dufour 520 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Contest 48CS provides 8 berths in 3 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 1996 Contest 48CS 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: 1996 Contest 48CS · Dufour 520 Grand Large