Jeanneau Yacht 55 vs Dufour 520 Grand Large — Comparison
Jeanneau Yacht 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Yacht 55 | Dufour 520 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Dufour |
| Year | 2018 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.14 m (56.2 ft) | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) |
| LWL | 15.10 m (49.5 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.86 m (15.9 ft) | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,000 kg (39,683 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 130.0 m² (1,399 ft²) | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 660 L (174.4 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Yacht 55 and Dufour 520 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Yacht 55 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Jeanneau Yacht 55 was penned by Philippe Briand. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Yacht 55 measures 17.14m (56.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.86m, compared to the Dufour 520 Grand Large at 15.80m (51.8ft) with a 4.69m beam. The Jeanneau Yacht 55 is 1.34m longer than the Dufour 520 Grand Large. The Jeanneau Yacht 55 displaces approximately 24% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Yacht 55 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.22 and 130.0 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 Jeanneau Yacht 55 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Yacht 55 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The Dufour 520 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.2% for the Jeanneau Yacht 55 and 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Yacht 55 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 660L of water capacity and 400L 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 520 Grand Large 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 Jeanneau Yacht 55 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Jeanneau Yacht 55 · Dufour 520 Grand Large