Dufour 470 vs Dufour 520 Grand Large — Comparison
Dufour 470
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 470 | Dufour 520 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Dufour |
| Year | 2018 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 440 L (116.2 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 470 and Dufour 520 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 470 is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Dufour 470 was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Dufour 470 measures 14.23m (46.7ft) overall with a beam of 4.39m, compared to the Dufour 520 Grand Large at 15.80m (51.8ft) with a 4.69m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 1.57m longer than the Dufour 470. The Dufour 520 Grand Large displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 470 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.07 and 94.0 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 470 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 470 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Dufour 520 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Dufour 470 and 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 470 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L of water capacity and 220L of fuel. The Dufour 520 Grand Large offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 550L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 470 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 470 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Dufour 470 · Dufour 520 Grand Large