Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS vs Dufour 520 Grand Large — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS
Dufour 520 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS | Dufour 520 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Dufour |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.38 m (50.5 ft) | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) |
| LWL | 13.45 m (44.1 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.58 m (15.0 ft) | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 104.0 m² (1,119 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 | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS and Dufour 520 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS was penned by Philippe Briand. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS measures 15.38m (50.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.58m, compared to the Dufour 520 Grand Large at 15.80m (51.8ft) with a 4.69m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 0.42m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.77 and 104.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Dufour 520 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 29.0% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS and 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 500L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50 DS 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.