Dufour 520 Grand Large vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 520 Grand Large | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2012–2017 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 520 Grand Large and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 1.75m longer than the 1993 Nautor Swan 46. The Dufour 520 Grand Large displaces approximately 18% 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46, with an SA/D of 17.59 and 92.0 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 220L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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 · 1993 Nautor Swan 46