1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs Dufour 520 Grand Large — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
Dufour 520 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | Dufour 520 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Dufour |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and Dufour 520 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Dufour 520 Grand Large at 15.80m (51.8ft) with a 4.69m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 1.17m longer than the 1997 Nautor Swan 48. The Dufour 520 Grand Large displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.71 and 105.0 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 520 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Dufour 520 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The Dufour 520 Grand Large offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 550L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 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.