Dufour 520 Grand Large vs 2014 X-Yachts X-50 — Comparison
Dufour 520 Grand Large
2014 X-Yachts X-50
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 520 Grand Large | 2014 X-Yachts X-50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | X-Yachts |
| Year | 2012–2017 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Denmark |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Niels Jeppesen |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) | 15.15 m (49.7 ft) |
| LWL | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) | 2.65 m (8.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 13,000 kg (28,660 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 5,000 kg (11,023 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) | 112.0 m² (1,206 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 520 Grand Large and 2014 X-Yachts X-50 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 2014 X-Yachts X-50 is a modern offering from X-Yachts from Denmark. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 2014 X-Yachts X-50 was designed by Niels Jeppesen.
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 X-Yachts X-50 at 15.15m (49.7ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Dufour 520 Grand Large is 0.65m longer than the 2014 X-Yachts X-50. The Dufour 520 Grand Large displaces approximately 12% 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 X-Yachts X-50, with an SA/D of 20.58 and 112.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2014 X-Yachts X-50 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 X-Yachts X-50 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large and 38.5% for the 2014 X-Yachts X-50, 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 X-Yachts X-50 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2014 X-Yachts X-50 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 X-Yachts X-50 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.