Design and Construction
The 500 GL’s hull is hand-laminated with a vacuum-bonded foam core set in polyester resin, and Dufour builds the structure with solid fiberglass below the waterline and a PVC foam core above it for models over 50 feet such as this one anchor. A one-piece structural grid is chemically fused to the hull and tabbed at high-load areas, a method that let the floor be laminated in so thoroughly that the boat runs roughly 2,000 pounds lighter than the generation before her anchor. Above the waterline the deck is nearly flush with myriad hatches and a large single-piece window aft of the mast; the low cabin profile and flush hatches keep the topsides clean, while wide side decks ease movement forward.
Below the waterline she carries one of two L-shaped keels — 6 feet 4 inches shoal or 7 feet 6 inches deep — both fairly deep for the beam, with 8,911 pounds of ballast on the standard draft. The semi-elliptical rudder is closed-cell foam around a stainless stock, and twin wheels keep the transom clear while giving the helm good sightlines. An expansive electrically operated drop transom, slightly reversed, opens to the cockpit from dock or water and reveals a very large lazarette aft of the cabins.
Rig and Handling
The 500 GL is rigged as a 9/10ths fractional sloop on a deck-stepped Z-Spars mast with double sweptback spreaders, the mast set well forward to leave room for a large main dropping into an integrated sail bag. A mid-boom traveller sits on the coach roof, and all running rigging is led below deck to stoppers and winches near the aft coach roof, leaving the deck uncluttered. The headsail runs on a Facnor belowdeck furler, and a retractable carbon sprit flies an optional asymmetrical spinnaker.
Test sailors at Canadian Boating found her easily sailed shorthanded thanks to a double-ended mainsheet and electric primaries at the helmsman’s hip anchor. In light air during reviews she made 4.2 knots tightwind at 30 degrees apparent, 5.2 on a reach, and 5.8 to 6.1 knots in slightly stronger gusts — credible performance for a 33,609 lb cruiser with a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 17. The standard 75 hp Volvo Penta saildrive with three-blade fixed prop pushed her back at 8.7 knots in flat water, and an optional 110 hp with four-blade folder was available.
Accommodations
Dufour describes the interior as both a main residence and a living space, and the layout supports that claim with abundant windows, opening hatches, and LED lighting for air and light. The forward owner cabin holds a queen berth with drawer and locker storage; at the companionway foot sit a manual head and sink to starboard with a shower and electric head to port. Aft cabins tuck under the cockpit with 200×165 cm berths slightly wider than the master. The saloon table adjusts in height and seats up to 12 with leaves out, and the boat sleeps eight excluding the starboard settee.
The galley is the show-stopper: split and athwartships just aft of the master, with an Eno stove and Isotherm reefer to port plus twin sinks and broad counter space to starboard, Corian surfaces, and a swing-out coffee maker. A dedicated nav station slides on rails and faces forward or aft, its desk and seat hinged for heeled working. Multi-zone air-conditioning and tremendous locker and in-floor storage round out the livability.
Cockpit and Equipment
Dufour split the cockpit into maneuvering and comfort zones. Forward, two settees flank a drop-leaf table with sink, tap, and optional reefer; one settee converts to a sun-pad or sea berth. Aft, twin helm stations each carry a multifunction display within reach of Lewmar primaries. A central tower near the transom serves as an aft seat, houses speakers and a freshwater shower, lifts to a machinery space with generator and HVAC, and opens to an optional grill with the lid as serving table. Halyard bins hide in the cockpit sole, and a fold-away anchor roller with Quick windlass and Delta anchor sit forward.
The Verdict
The Dufour 500 Grand Large is a thoughtfully engineered flagship that pairs a light, foam-core hull with a voluminous and flexible interior. Her split galley, sliding nav station, and zoned cockpit show a design brief aimed at comfortable liveaboard cruising without sacrificing shorthanded sailability. The lighter structure versus her predecessor and the modern Felci hull lines make her a credible performer in light air.
Pros
- Approximately 2,000 lb lighter than predecessor via laminated floor grid
- Split athwartships galley and sliding, heel-adjustable nav station
- Zoned cockpit with machinery-access tower and convertible sunberth
- Easily shorthanded with belowdeck furling and electric primaries
Cons
- Deep drafts (6'4" or 7'6") limit shallow anchoring
- Standard 75 hp saildrive modest against 33,609 lb displacement
- Belowdeck furler and retractable sprit add service complexity
