Dufour 520 Grand Large vs 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 — Comparison
Dufour 520 Grand Large
2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 520 Grand Large | 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2012–2017 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Nauta Design / Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) |
| LWL | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) | 4.56 m (15.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 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 | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 520 Grand Large and 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 was designed by Nauta Design / Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the Dufour 520 Grand Large measures 15.80m (51.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.69m, compared to the 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 at 14.60m (47.9ft) with a 4.56m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 1.20m longer than the 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48. The Dufour 520 Grand Large displaces approximately 26% 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 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, with an SA/D of 19.54 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 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 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 has a comfort ratio of 12.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large and 30.4% for the 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, 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 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 400L water and 200L 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 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 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.