Description
Great example of the popular and sporty Dufour 500GL. Benefitting from a taller rig, retractable bowsprit and a fantastic 3-cabins, 3-heads interior layout, M is good to go and well-priced to boot.
FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:
Launched in 2015 to designs by Umberto Felci, M benefits from the taller ‘Grand Prix’ rig. Fitted out for private use and short-handed sailing her highlights include:-
• 3 cabin ‘master layout’ version with three double cabins and three heads including master cabin forward with separate shower and heads compartments.
• 2.30m sport keel
• Taller rig option with matt black painted spars
• Electric main halyard winch
• Sprayhood and bimini
• Retractable 24vDC bowthruster with dedicated battery bank and charger
• Inverter
• Watermaker
• Solar panels on top of bimini
• Elvstrom carbon technora laminate fully-battened mainsail and furling genoa with vertical battens
• Gennaker with retractable bowsprit
• Sprayhood & bimini
• B&G electrics with twin plotters
• Cockpit fridge
• Sunbathing cushions
• Tender & outboard
YACHTING PRESS REMARKS:
Forward there is a recessed anchor locker housing a Quick windlass and a pivoting anchor roller that supports a large Delta anchor. This keeps the hook out of sight (and away from the gennaker) until it’s time to deploy—which is done by lifting it out and over the stem. The target buyers for this boat are experienced sailors looking for a good turn of speed and respectable performance in club racing, so keeping the bow neat and tidy is a bonus.
The other end of the boat is equally interesting, thanks to the way Dufour has divided the cockpit into “maneuvering” and “comfort” zones. The forward section of the cockpit is dedicated to relaxation and includes two settees, one of which can be converted into a wide sun-pad or even a nifty sea berth. The drop-leaf table separating the settees has a 12V light attachment, a sink and tap with hot and cold fresh water, and an optional reefer. Hidden in the cockpit sole just aft of the hinged companionway doors are a number of clever halyard bins, so the entryway stays clutter-free, even when sailing.
Farther aft, the working part of the cockpit features twin helm stations, each with a multifunction display, and each within reach of the Lewmar primary and spinnaker winches. Beyond that there is a neat central “tower” near the transom that serves multiple purposes, thanks to some creative and clever engineering. First and foremost, it serves as an aft seat to help a guest or tactician stay clear of the helmsman. It also houses speakers and a freshwater shower, and lifts up to provide access to a machinery space below, which includes the generator and air conditioning/heating unit.
The interior is as well executed as the exterior, both in terms of finish and practicality. The basic floor plan offers a choice of three or four cabins and two or three ensuite heads. I expect most hulls will be fitted with the master cabin forward, with its split head to starboard and shower compartment to port. The island berth has drawer storage below and numerous hatches overhead for ventilation.
The real show-stopper belowdecks is the galley, which is split and runs athwartships just aft of the master cabin. To port is an Eno stove and Isotherm reefer, a built-in spice rack, drop-out cutlery bins and a built-in coffee maker that swings out to reveal tiny cubbies designed to hold prepackage tubs of coffee flavorings. To starboard are twin sinks and lots of countertop space. The great thing about this galley is that multiple people can assist in meal preparation without getting in each other’s way. If nothing else, I also like this lateral galley concept for its out-of-the-box thinking. The only real down side I can see is that you will have a long way to go when delivering a bowl of hot soup to the cockpit crew underway.
The saloon is enormous, with a U-shaped settee and convertible table to port and a straight settee to starboard at the end of which is a dedicated nav station that slides on rails and can face either forward or aft. Both the desk and the seat are hinged to provide a comfortable workstation when heeling on either tack. Two guest cabins, each with a head/shower, round out the aft end of the boat. The interior finish is Maobi veneer and solid wood. Headroom is generous throughout, maxing out at 6ft 7in in the saloon.
The walk-through at the dock was intriguing, but would she sail well? Indeed she does—with an abundance of panache, in fact. Although the GL500 is massive, it doesn’t feel that way underway. On the contrary, the boat was fairly nimble and easy on the helm, even in the very light winds we experienced during our test sail. In 8-knot gusts, we were able to push up to 6.1 knots of boat speed at a 60-degree apparent wind angle. At 45 degrees we made 5.8 knots. We were easily the largest boat sailing that day and, surprisingly, had the least trouble moving in the sputtering breeze.
Maybe Dufour didn’t literally break the mold with the GL500, but it certainly busted many of the constraints of old-world thinking with its “what if” approach. Dufour has echoed Apple’s old tag line, “Think Different,” and deserves credit for doing so. It’s also good to see that, despite all the focus on innovation, someone still remembered this big machine needed to sail and take care of its crew—something it does very well.
Sail Magazine – Best Boats 2014
Specification
CONSTRUCTION
RCD Status:
• The yacht conforms with the essential safety requirements of Directive 94/25EC (Recreational Craft Directive) and is categorised A – “Ocean”
Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:
• Hand-laminated in polyester/glassfibre hull.
• Topsides in vacuum-bonded PVC foam core sandwich
• Grey decorative stripes on the hull.
• NPG gelcoat with first mat impregnated with NPG resin forming an optimum barrier against osmosis.
• Epoxy system to underwater sections
• Hull bottom counter-moulded, floors laminated into the hull.
• Deck: Sandwich with injected PVC foam core
• Teak cockpit seating, sole, bathing platform and coachroof top
Keel & Rudder:
• Cast iron fin keel
• Keel bolts bear on stainless back-plates
• Rudder: Semi-elliptical shape, filled with closed-cell epoxy foam.
• Rudder stock: Solid stainless steel.
MACHINERY
Engine & gearbox:
• Volvo D-2 75 75hp diesel engine
• Volvo Saildrive gearbox
• Fresh¬water cooled engine.
• Single lever engine control.
• Panel for engine instruments within easy reach of helmsman.
• Engine hours – approx. 1,200hrs as of Spring 2023
• Date of last engine service – February 2023
Propulsion & Steering:
• Gori 3-bladed folding propeller
• Sleipner SidePower 24vDC retractable bow-thruster with radio remote control
• 2 Steering wheel consoles: Lewmar matt-black anodised ‘Destroyer’ helm wheels with carbon leather covering
• Metal cable steering transmission system
• Emergency tiller: Head of rudder stock beneath helmsman’s floor for fitting the emergency tiller
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Voltage systems:
• 12vDC domestic systems with 220vAC via shore-power or inverter
Battery Banks:
• 1x 12v AGM engine start battery
• 4x 12v AGM service batteries
• 2x 12vDC AGM bowthruster batteries joined in parallel to supply 24vDC
• Mastervolt Masterlink BTM-III battery monitoring system
Charging:
• Cristec 12vDC/220vAC 60Amp automatic battery charger
• Cristec 24vDC/220vAC 12Amp automatic battery charger for bowthruster batteries
Inverter:
• Singergex PlusSine 3000 3,000w inverter
Alternator:
• Volvo 12vDC engine-mounted alternator
Solar:
• 4x Solbian 156w solar panels
• Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT charge controller
Other Electrical:
• Electrical control panel with thermal breakers
• 12v sockets, voltmeter, ampere meter and battery test at DC panel
• 230vAC shore power supply protected with differential breaker and distribution system.
• 230vAC sockets throughout interior
PLUMBING & GAS SYSTEMS
Fresh Water:
• The hot freshwater circuit is led into a well-insulated hot water tank, heated by engine or 230v AC immersion heater element
• Fresh water shower at bathing platform
Watermaker:
• Desalator dual voltage 12vDc/220vAC reverse osmosis watermaker producing approx. 60 litres per hour
Bilge Pumps:
• 2x electric bilge pumps: With strainer, controlled from electrical distri¬bution panel.
• Manual bilge pump: Operated from cockpit.
• Bilge sump: Sump built into keel, access to strainer
TANKAGE
Fuel:
• 500 L fuel capacity in two tanks beneath aft berths with gauge at DC panel
• Fill¬i¬ng of fuel tanks is through deck inlet.
Fresh Water:
• 720 litre water tanks: 2 polyethylene water tanks with inspection holes and electric gauges beneath forward and aft berths.
Holding Tanks:
• 3x black water holding tanks servicing forward and aft heads
NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
• 2x B&G Zeus GPS chart plotter displays
• B&G Triton instrument displays with wind, speed and depth transducers
• B&G Triton autopilot with AC42 AP course computer
• B&G RC42 electronic compass
• B&G AIS
• Forward looking echosounder
• Comar NMEA – WiFi unit
• Steering compasses
Communications Equipment:
• B&G V50 VHF with DSC
• B&G cockpit VHF handset
• WiFi
DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT
Galley:
• Gimballed stainless gas cooker with 3 burners and oven and grill
• Isotherm refrigeration unit 12 V with front access
• Isotherm refrigeration/freezer unit 12 V withtop access
• Twin stainless steel sinks with pressurised water supply
• Manual salt water supply to galley
• 220vAC microwave oven
• Nespresso machine
Heads:
• Jabsco electric marine heads for forward master heads and port guest heads
• Hot & cold pressurised water supplies with showers
Laundry:
• Electrolux 220vAC 3kgs washer/dryer
Lighting:
• LED Reading lights in saloon and in accommodation cabins
• LED deckhead lighting throughout
Entertainment:
• Fusion MS-BB300R Bluetooth stereo system with iPod dock and waterproof cockpit speakers
ACCOMMODATION
Summary of Accommodation:
• Owner’s layout version.
• Up to eight berths in three double cabins, and occasional single berths in saloon.
• Woodwork: Oak
• Floors: Moabi laminate
• Doors: Fitted with twin-bolt anti-vibration locks
• Mattresses are quilted, anallergic fabric
• Cushions: Saloon cushions and cabin mattresses fitted with removable covers.
• Headliner: White painted head-liner
• Corian counters in galley and heads
• Blinds and mosquito nets
Master Cabin:
• Berth: 200 × 160 cm approx.
• Mattress: 10 cm thick foam mattress with washable cover.
• Storage below berth.
• Cubby-hole along side of hull.
• 2 hanging lockers with shelves
• Water tank: Below berth
• Access: To navigation instrument transducers
Master Cabin Ensuite:
• WC: Electric sea toilet.
• Wash-basin: Wash-basin unit with basin in Corian®C synthetic resin.
• Water: Hot and cold water with chrome-plated brass single-lever mixer tap.
• Mirror: Yes
• Grating: ‘Corian®’ synthetic resin (std) or teak (option)
• Ventilation: Via deck panel or opening port.
• Cupboards: Storage unit.
• Separate shower cubicle opposite to port
Saloon:
• Saloon banquette: U-shaped banquette on port side.
• Central banquette: Sliding with movable back
• Saloon table with adjustable height legs converting to double berth.
• Storage under seats and behind backrests. Behind banquette back.
• Bookshelf above banquette
• 4 cubby-holes with doors
• Removable fiddles
Chart Table:
• Bookshelf
• Storage for optionnal electronic
• Electrical panel
• Aft seat – angle adjustable
Galley:
• Lateral galley forward of saloon to port and starboard
• Corian worktop with wooden fiddle
• Stainless steel twin bowl sinks to starboard
• Mixer tap cold water / hot.
• Gas cooker, 2-birner stainless steel oven on mountings, safety bar.
• Top opening refrigeration units
• Cupboards, Drawers, Cubby hole lockers.
• Fitted cupboards and lockers (shelves, bottle racks, Rubbish bin).
Aft Heads:
• Heads compartments to port and starboard
• Separate shower cubicle in port heads
• WC: Electric sea toilet for port heads and manual heads to starboard.
• Wash-basin: Wash-basin unit with basin in Corian®C synthetic resin.
• Water: Hot and cold water with chrome-plated brass single-lever mixer tap.
• Drain: Direct, via an electric pump.
• Mirror: Yes
• Grating: ‘Corian®’ synthetic resin (std) or teak (option)
• Ventilation: Via deck panel or opening port.
• Cupboards: Storage unit.
Aft Cabins:
• Mirrored twin aft cabins
• Berth: 200 × 165 cm approx.
• Mattress: 10 cm thick foam mattress with washable cover.
• Fuel tank: Beneath berth, port and starboard side.
• Water tank: Beneath berth
• Storage in hanging locker with double door with shelf.
• Cubby-hole along hull liner with fiddle.
• Soundproofing: Double bulkhead provides acoustic and thermal insulation from adjoining engine compartment.
• Technical area: Between aft berths, with stowage.
DECK EQUIPMENT
Rig:
• 19.33m taller mast option
• 9/10 aluminium installed on the deck, 2 aft-swept spreaders
• Anodised aluminium boom
• Mast and boom black painted – super matt finish
• Retractable bowsprit for code Zero / gennaker
• Discontinuous stainless steel standing rigging
• Sailtec hydraulic backstay adjuster
• Rigid boom vang with tackle
• Removable staysail halyard
• Manual genoa furling system
• Harken adjustable genoa tracks with traveller cars
• Rigging run back to cockpit
• Harken low-friction mainsail track system with battencar sliders
• Dyneema main halyard
• German mainsheet system with adjustable track on coachroof, led back to cockpit
• 2x single-line reefs
Winches:
• 2x Lewmar Race carbon-topped 55ST 2-speed manual self-tailing gennaker winches
• 2x Lewmar Race carbon-topped 50ST 2-speed manual self-tailing genoa winches
• Lewmar Race carbon-topped 45ST 2-speed electric self-tailing halyard winch
• Lewmar Race carbon-topped 45ST 2-speed manual self-tailing halyard winch
Sails:
• Elvstrom carbon technora taffeta fully-battened mainsail
• Elvstrom carbon technora taffeta DCH-X vertically-battened furling jib
• Elvstrom gennaker with sock or torsion cable furler (not presently fitted)
General:
• Open stainless steel forward pulpit
• 2x Stainless steel pushpits
• Double guardrail and stainless steel stanchions and opening side gates
• Teak cockpit table with fridge
• Cockpit shower hose with hot & cold supply
• Outboard bracket on pushpit
• Electric-opening bathing platform
• Cockpit table with folding teak leaves and integral Isotherm stainless steel refrigerator
Anchoring & Mooring:
• Lewmar 12vDC 1,400w electric windlass with remote control and helm control with chain counter
• Rocna 32kgs anchor with 75m of 12mm chain
• Rhino 20kg kedge anchor
• Fore and aft mooring lines
Covers, Cushions & Canvas:
• Sprayhood with stainless steel frame and large windows
• Bimini top with stainless steel frame
• Cockpit cushions
• Coachroof and foredeck sunbathing cushions
• Stackpack bag for mainsail with lazyjacks
• Cockpit table cover
• Helm wheel covers
Tender & Outboard:
• Zodiac Cadet aluminium 350 inflatable tender
• Yamaha 20hp outboard engine
SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as liferafts, Epirbs, fire extinguishers and flares etc. are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on-board as part of the sale of a used vessel may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet a new owners specific needs.
• Safety equipment for 10 persons including10-man liferaft
• Fire extinguishers
• Navigation lights
Viewing arrangements
Lying Valencia, Spain
Available to view strictly by appointment
Office Hours Mon- Fri 0900 – 17.00
Saturday by prior appointment
For more information or to arrange a viewing please contact us.
Please Note: Due to the varying locations of our yachts, your travel time and the distances that may be involved, we recommend that you only make arrangements to view if you are actively considering purchase.
Tel: +34 675 236 174
Email: lucio@grabauinternational.com
Grabau International offers the details of all vessels in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information or warranty the condition of any vessel and the details do not constitute a part of any contract. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. All vessels are offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice. Grabau International provides professional yacht conveyancing and legal transfer of title for all yachts as per the ABYA Code of Practice with all deposit payments and final balance payments processed through secure dedicated client accounts solely for that purpose. Our dedicated client accounts are written in trust at Natwest Bank and we are fully insured.
