Dufour 520 Grand Large vs 1990 Nautor Swan 53 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 520 Grand Large | 1990 Nautor Swan 53 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2012–2017 | 1990–1999 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) | 112.0 m² (1,206 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 520 Grand Large and 1990 Nautor Swan 53 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Dufour 520 Grand Large measures 15.80m (51.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.69m, compared to the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 at 16.15m (53.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is 0.35m longer than the Dufour 520 Grand Large. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 520 Grand Large has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.79 and 110.0 m² of sail area. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 112.0 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 Dufour 520 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has a comfort ratio of 19.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large and 39.5% for the 1990 Nautor Swan 53, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 520 Grand Large provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 550L of water capacity and 300L of fuel. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 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: Dufour 520 Grand Large · 1990 Nautor Swan 53