Design and Construction
The 512 Grand Large is a 15.20m monohull with a 13.67m waterline, and her straight-edge bow and stern are deliberate moves to maximise waterline length and therefore speed anchor. At 15,245kg displacement with 4,042kg of iron ballast in a bulb keel, she carries a ballast-displacement ratio of 26.51 and a capsize ratio of 1.95, figures that sit comfortably for a bluewater-minded family cruiser. The hull is hand-laminated polyester/GRP with a vacuum-bonded foam sandwich core, and floors are all laminated into the hull while keel bolts bear onto massive stainless steel backing plates. An epoxy barrier against osmosis is fitted, and a stainless steel bow strip protector guards the stem. Dufour's two-part mold forms an inward-facing hull-to-deck flange, and a one-piece structural grid is chemically fused to the hull — construction cues consistent with the builder's sub-50-foot solid-fiberglass practice of the era.
Rig and Handling
Solo around-the-world racing strongly influenced the 512's deck plan. A fixed bowsprit flies an asymmetrical spinnaker, and an upward angled boom from a low gooseneck makes the mainsail easier to reach. A German-style double-ended mainsheet lets the helm trim headsail or main without leaving the wheel, while a tape-drive headsail furling line avoids the jamming of conventional rope systems. A removable inner forestay handles a storm sail, and an optional self-tacker headsail is offered. Test sailors found the boat easy to manage with electric T45 halyard and T55 sheet winches, and a second set of sheet winches in the cockpit handled the big asymmetrical spinnaker. Bow and stern jet thrusters turned her about in seconds leaving the berth anchor. Under auxiliary power, the tested 110hp Volvo saildrive diesel complements the standard 75hp Volvo diesel, with 500 litres of fuel aboard.
Accommodations
Below, the 512 breaks from convention with a galley-forward open-plan layout: the galley is moved amidships ahead of the saloon dining area, its floor one step down so cooking mess stays out of guests' faces. The galley spreads across the boat with a U-shaped prep zone, large sink, Corian top, and three-burner stove, plus a double-drawer fridge/freezer and an espresso machine to starboard. The saloon shows modern oak with coral upholstery, a starboard settee lounge, and a port dinette with outboard seating; a 32-inch slide-away TV sits to starboard. Three luxury-sized en-suite double cabins include a forward master with island berth and a split two-compartment bathroom, plus two double staterooms either side of the companionway. Rounded furniture corners, electric-flush toilets, and attractive oak paneling with matched upholstery complete the interior.
Cockpit and Deck
The massive T-shaped cockpit hosts 12 guests under way, with real teak decking underfoot and a portside seat whose fold-up flap becomes a wind-sheltered sun bed. An electric opening transom eases Mediterranean stern docking or swimming, and the cockpit table console holds a fridge and sink with a gas BBQ in the rear seat — an outdoor cooking centre. A transom locker stows a folded inflatable and 9.9hp outboard. The navigation table and seat to starboard carry a large house instrument panel outboard.
The Verdict
The Dufour 512 Grand Large is a thoroughly modern 50-foot cruiser that translates solo-race thinking into a social, well-built family boat. Felci's styling and Dufour's laminated construction give her a genuine offshore posture without sacrificing the open, galley-forward interior that distinguishes the Grand Large line.
Pros
- Straight-edge bow and stern maximise waterline for speed under a 13.67m LWL
- Influenced by solo racing: fixed bowsprit, angled boom, tape-drive furling, inner forestay
- Galley-forward open plan with amidships U-galley keeps cooking clear of the saloon
- Three en-suite double cabins including split-compartment master forward
- Epoxy osmosis barrier, stainless stem protector, massive keel backing plates
Cons
- Production spanned only 2016–2017, a short window before the Fountaine Pajot takeover
- Tested 110hp saildrive and jet thrusters were options, not standard fit
