Dufour 520 Grand Large vs 2013 Oyster 485 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 520 Grand Large | 2013 Oyster 485 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Oyster |
| Year | 2012–2017 | 2013–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) | 14.85 m (48.7 ft) |
| LWL | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) | 4.38 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 14,200 kg (31,306 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 300 L (79.3 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 2013 Oyster 485 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 2013 Oyster 485 is a modern offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 2013 Oyster 485 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 2013 Oyster 485 at 14.85m (48.7ft) with a 4.38m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 0.95m longer than the 2013 Oyster 485. The Dufour 520 Grand Large displaces approximately 2% 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 2013 Oyster 485, with an SA/D of 16.98 and 98.0 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 2013 Oyster 485 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large and 38.0% for the 2013 Oyster 485, 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 2013 Oyster 485 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2013 Oyster 485 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 · 2013 Oyster 485