Design and Construction
The construction information draws on both the authority material and Dufour’s broader build practice. The authority material describes a fiberglass sandwich construction that improves the indoor climate, presenting that benefit plainly rather than as a marketing claim. Dufour’s build practice for hulls under 50 feet, however, places this boat in solid fiberglass below, while the authority material’s sandwich note describes the as-tested structure. The deck is solid fiberglass.
Ballast is 8,157 pounds of lead on a bulb keel. More than one keel alternative was offered. One fin-with-bulb option draws about 6.2 to 6.5 feet, depending on load, while a deeper fin-with-bulb version draws about 7.4 to 7.7 feet. Either option limits the yacht to major marinas; draft is about 1.90 - 2.00 meter depending on load.
The boat carries CE Class A (Ocean) certification. Its capsize screening value is 1.92, which the source connects to ocean-capable acceptance under that formula alone.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 485 Grand Large has a fractional sloop rig. Its SA/D is 14.4 using the ISO reference sail and 16.8 with a 135% genoa. The authority material says it has more rig than 73% of similar sailboats, indicating that it is slightly overrigged.
The theoretical displacement-hull maximum is 8.8 knots, while the calculated maximum speed is about 7.3 knots. A DL ratio of 192 places the boat among “moderate racers.” Its Motion Comfort Ratio is 30.3, against an immersion rate of roughly 409 kg/cm, and wetted surface is about 64 square meters.
Standing and running rig dimensions are generous for a boat of this size. The mainsail and genoa halyards are each 40.6 meters long and 14 mm in diameter. The mainsheet is 36 meters at 16 mm, while the jib or genoa sheets are 14.4 meters at 16 mm.
Accommodations and Cruising Capacity
The length-to-beam ratio is 3.06 and the ballast ratio is 25%. Together, those figures describe a beamy, lightly ballasted hull in which interior volume is a primary design consideration.
Tankage also suits extended cruising rather than weekend hops: water capacity is 156 gallons, and the diesel tank holds 66 gallons. The Grand Large name and the Felci-Roséo partnership from the mid-2000s place the 485 among Dufour’s modern cruising generation rather than the earlier Classic boats.
Known Issues and Survey Points
The hull’s sandwich construction is a notable material detail, although the source connects it directly with an improved interior climate rather than any defect. Even so, a careful survey of core integrity remains appropriate.
At least one bulb-keel option uses iron. A surveyor should weigh that material choice against the risk of galvanic corrosion in tropical or brackish berths. The CE Class A rating supports the boat’s ocean brief without qualification.
Refits and Ownership
Buyers considering a hull from 2006 onward should expect different keel configurations and verify draft in the boat’s loaded condition. The two bulb-keel options differ by more than a foot.
Because the sail plan is slightly overrigged, early reefing keeps the motion comfortable. The generous halyard and sheet sizes suggest a rig intended for frequent sail changes rather than minimalist cruising.
The Verdict
The Dufour 485 Grand Large is a Felci-designed cruiser that trades heavy ballast for beam and volume. It carries CE certification for ocean use and has a slightly overrigged fractional sail plan suited to long passages. Its sandwich hull and the iron-keel option are the only points a careful buyer must weigh.
Pros
- CE Class A (Ocean) certification
- Beamy 15.4-foot hull with strong interior volume
- Slightly overrigged fractional rig with large sail-handling margins
- Two bulb-keel drafts for different cruising grounds
Cons
- Iron-keel option calls for scrutiny of galvanic corrosion
- Deep-draft bulb versions limit marina access
- Sandwich hull requires a careful survey of core integrity
