Dufour 520 Grand Large vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 520 Grand Large | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Oyster |
| Year | 2012–2017 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 520 Grand Large and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Dufour 520 Grand Large measures 15.80m (51.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.69m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 1.78m longer than the 2004 Oyster 46. The Dufour 520 Grand Large displaces approximately 16% 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 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 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 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 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 · 2004 Oyster 46