2018 Hanse 548 vs Dufour 520 Grand Large — Comparison
2018 Hanse 548
Dufour 520 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2018 Hanse 548 | Dufour 520 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Dufour |
| Year | 2018 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | Judel/Vrolijk | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.35 m (53.6 ft) | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) |
| LWL | 14.80 m (48.6 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.80 m (15.7 ft) | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 16,000 kg (35,274 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 122.0 m² (1,313 ft²) | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 80 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 270 L (71.3 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 460 L (121.5 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2018 Hanse 548 and Dufour 520 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2018 Hanse 548 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 2018 Hanse 548 was penned by Judel/Vrolijk. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 2018 Hanse 548 measures 16.35m (53.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.80m, compared to the Dufour 520 Grand Large at 15.80m (51.8ft) with a 4.69m beam. The 2018 Hanse 548 is 0.55m longer than the Dufour 520 Grand Large. The 2018 Hanse 548 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2018 Hanse 548 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.52 and 122.0 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 2018 Hanse 548 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2018 Hanse 548 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Dufour 520 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 29.4% for the 2018 Hanse 548 and 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2018 Hanse 548 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L of water capacity and 270L 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 2018 Hanse 548 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.