Design and Construction
The hull is hand-laid solid fiberglass below the waterline and PVC-cored above, as is the deck, with polyester resin used throughout and E-glass added to the layup around high-load areas such as the chainplates anchor. A structural grid is glued and tabbed into the hull. At the bow, an integrated composite bowsprit carries a solid stainless steel structure overlaid with fiberglass to form a traditional anchor roller and an attachment point for a gennaker. The major enhancements over the 500 cluster around the aft cockpit, where the revolutionary predecessor had slotted in an outdoor galley; on the 520 the portside transom seat lifts up and outboard to reveal the sink while the grill is tucked into the center section, and with the lid down the seat becomes part of a sunpad. The starboard seat lifts out to reveal steps down to the swim step formed by the transom, and an optional double-level swim platform deploys electrically to form two levels of steps for easier water access.
Rig and Handling
The 520 carries a 9/10 fractional rig supporting a traditional or in-mast furling mainsail and 1,085 square feet of sail area, with a 7'6" L-shaped keel that helps her track nicely downwind. Two sets of winches sit outboard within reach of the wheels so a big boat like this can be single-handed, and Cruising World's test found the Lewmar chain-and-cable steering smooth as silk with a double-ended German-style mainsheet keeping the sail at the driver's fingertips on either tack anchor. The binnacles were redesigned into superyacht-style command pods holding two levels of navigation electronics including chartplotters up high. With the 75 hp engine the test boat pushed along at 9.2 knots wide open, and in 9 to 11 knots of wind she sailed 5.5 to 6 knots. Owners can opt for a shoal-draft keel of 6 feet 4 inches or standard 7 feet 2 inches, and a standard mast of 70 feet 2 inches or an adventure package mast of 74 feet 9 inches for a larger sail plan.
Accommodations
Below, the galley runs athwartship just aft of the master stateroom, with the stove and sink to port and two refrigerator drawers to starboard, lit by two overhead hatches and a full section of fixed portlights. An electric folding hi/lo table adjusts to three positions from coffee table to dining surface, and the origami nav desk across from the dinette stays level regardless of heel and shifts to forward or aft facing. The aft port cabin converts easily from a double to twin beds for kids or guests, and the boat sleeps up to 10 in five cabins; for private use a better layout is the master forward with split head and two cabins/two heads aft. Four layout options were offered: three cabins and three heads; three cabins, two heads and a Pullman; four cabins and four heads; or four cabins, three heads and a Pullman. The Maobi wood finish and Corian countertops in the heads add a luxe feel, bottle stowage sits below the saloon sole, and the cockpit table holds a 40-quart refrigerator drawer.
Outdoor Living and Entertainment
The cockpit is built around social use: the transom lid flips forward to become a guest seat at the cockpit table so a larger party can be accommodated, and panels fold up to turn bench seats into sun lounges or outdoor bunks for sleeping under the stars. Seats lock into the floor with backs that serve as handholds when underway. Cruising World's tester described the enormous two-level swim platform folding up when on the move to secure the cockpit, completing an outdoor galley with drawer-style fridge under the drop-leaf teak table.
Known Issues
The test sail recorded two practical annoyances rather than structural faults: the engine panel and throttle are placed near the cockpit sole and aft under the rear seat, an awkward reach when underway, and sheets and halyards all came in the same color, inviting confusion at the winches.
The Verdict
The 520 Grand Large refines the 500's entertaining-focused aft cockpit into a genuinely dual-purpose 50-footer — a Felci design that sails competently under a fractional rig with command-pod helms yet turns the transom into a sunpad, galley, and swim-station complex. The interior is flexible enough for charter or private use, though the throttle location and same-color lines are small but real ergonomic misses.
Pros
- Aft cockpit transforms from sunpad to outdoor galley to guest seating
- 9/10 fractional rig with 1,085 sq ft sail area and easy single-handed winch reach
- Four interior layouts from three to five cabins; aft port berth splits to twins
- PVC-cored topsides over solid glass hull with E-glass chainplate reinforcement
Cons
- Engine panel and throttle recessed near cockpit sole under rear seat
- Sheets and halyards delivered in identical color
