2006 Najad 505 vs Dufour 520 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2006 Najad 505 | Dufour 520 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Najad | Dufour |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | France |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.55 m (51.0 ft) | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) |
| LWL | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.50 m (14.8 ft) | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,500 kg (34,172 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2006 Najad 505 and Dufour 520 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2006 Najad 505 is a 2000s design by Najad from Sweden, while the Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 2006 Najad 505 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 2006 Najad 505 measures 15.55m (51.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.50m, compared to the Dufour 520 Grand Large at 15.80m (51.8ft) with a 4.69m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 0.25m longer than the 2006 Najad 505. The 2006 Najad 505 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2006 Najad 505 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.65 and 108.0 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 2006 Najad 505 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Dufour 520 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.4% for the 2006 Najad 505 and 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2006 Najad 505 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 350L of fuel. The Dufour 520 Grand Large offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 550L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2006 Najad 505 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: 2006 Najad 505 · Dufour 520 Grand Large