Engine
Volvo Penta D2-75
Total Power
75hp
Engine Hours
3250
Class
Cruisers sailboats
Length
15.20m
Year
2018
Model
520 Grand Large
Capacity
-
Nicolle Associates - Hamble Office
Nicolle Associates - Hamble Office
Boat Details
Description
2018 | DUFOUR 520 GRAND LARGE | FELCI DESIGN | PERFORMANCE CRUISER
INTRODUCTION
SANTA MARIA NOVELLA is a 2018 Dufour 520 Grand Large designed by Felci Yacht Design and offered for sale by her original family owner. The model combines a powerful modern hull form with the volume, cockpit space and practical sail-handling arrangement expected of a substantial cruising yacht.
She has operated within the family’s professionally managed charter business in Tuscany. Servicing, maintenance and equipment replacement have been undertaken on a planned and documented basis, with annual engine-service invoices retained and the yacht’s principal systems and seacocks examined during a RINA survey completed in 2026.
Her four-cabin interior provides eight permanent berths, with two additional berths available in the saloon. The large cockpit, twin helm stations and opening bathing platform create a practical layout for extended family cruising, larger sailing groups or continued commercial operation.
Recent investment has included replacement sails, saildrive and propeller, renewed running rigging, replacement electric toilets, new refrigeration equipment and extensive work to the bow and stern thruster systems. The owner is now reducing his involvement in the charter operation and is offering SANTA MARIA NOVELLA for sale as part of that transition.
BROKER'S COMMENTS
SANTA MARIA NOVELLA is distinguished by a clear ownership history and a useful supporting record of servicing, maintenance and replacement work. She has remained under the control of the same family business from new, allowing prospective purchasers to understand how she has been operated and managed throughout her life.
Her specification and layout give her broad appeal. The four-cabin arrangement and substantial cockpit suit larger crews and family use, while her established charter background and Italian registration may also be relevant to a purchaser considering continued commercial operation.
The recent expenditure on sails, drivetrain, domestic systems and deck equipment addresses several of the capital items that buyers commonly examine closely on a yacht of this size. She deserves consideration from purchasers seeking a late-model Dufour 520 with traceable history, practical accommodation and a strong Mediterranean cruising specification.
Contact Information
More Details
Additional Info.
CONSTRUCTION & DIMENSIONS
Built by Dufour Yachts to a design by Felci Yacht Design, the 520 Grand Large combines a modern GRP hull and deck structure with a wide aft cockpit, twin steering positions and an opening bathing platform. Teak is laid to the cockpit and platform, while the underwater hull was antifouled in April/May 2026.
• Build year: 2018
• White GRP hull
• GRP deck and superstructure
• Teak-laid cockpit
• Teak-laid bathing platform
• Twin Carbonautica steering wheels
• Italian registration number: SP5843D
• Length overall: 15.20m
• Beam: 4.80m
• Draft: 2.30m
• Displacement: approximately 15,245kg
ACCOMMODATION
The interior is arranged to provide generous communal space together with four separate cabins, making the yacht practical for extended family cruising, larger sailing groups or continued commercial use. Dufour’s light timber joinery is complemented by natural light from hull windows, deck hatches and coachroof glazing, with useful storage distributed throughout the accommodation.
• Four-cabin arrangement
• Eight permanent berths
• Two additional berths available in the saloon
• Saloon seating arranged around a central dining table
• Two separate heads compartments
• Two Jabsco electric marine toilets, renewed in 2025
GALLEY
The galley is incorporated within the main saloon, providing a practical working area with cooking, refrigeration and storage close to the principal dining space.
• Gas cooker with hob and oven
• Microwave oven
• Stainless-steel sink
• Internal Isotherm refrigerator, renewed in 2024
• Separate freezer
• Storage lockers and work surfaces
• Gas installation with one bottle
MACHINERY
Auxiliary power is provided by a Volvo Penta 75hp diesel engine driving through a saildrive. The engine has been serviced annually, with supporting invoices retained by the owning company. The saildrive and its seal were replaced in 2024, followed by a new three-bladed fixed Volvo propeller in 2025.
• Volvo Penta D2-75 diesel engine
• Power: 75hp
• Approximately 3,250 engine hours recorded
• Volvo Penta 150S saildrive transmission
• Three-bladed fixed Volvo propeller, renewed in 2025
• Jet bow and stern thrusters
• Thruster maintenance including replacement valves and control units
• Diesel capacity: 450 litres
• Fresh-water capacity: 720 litres
• Hot-water system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
The yacht is equipped for shore-powered and independent operation through 12-volt DC and 220-volt AC systems, supported by battery charging and a 2,000-watt inverter. Replacement battery packs have been installed as required during the current ownership, and the batteries were checked and tested in May 2026.
• 12-volt DC electrical system
• 220-volt AC system
• 2,000-watt 12/220-volt inverter
• Battery charger/rectifier
• 220-volt sockets throughout the accommodation
• Battery isolators and distribution panel
• Interior and navigation lighting
RIG
SANTA MARIA NOVELLA is configured as a fractional sloop with aluminium spars and straightforward furling and reefing systems intended for efficient short-handed or crewed cruising. The standing rigging is original and has been regularly inspected and maintained, while the running rigging was renewed in 2025.
• Fractional sloop rig
• Aluminium mast and boom
• Original standing rigging
• Rigid vang
• Easy reefing system
• Running rigging renewed in 2025
• Dyneema furling line fitted in 2025
SAILS
The principal sail wardrobe was renewed in September 2025 using grey Bainbridge HSX-P triradial sailcloth.
• Full-batten mainsail: approximately 52.8m²
• Furling genoa: approximately 48m²
• Total stated sail area: approximately 100.8m²
NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT
The navigation installation is centred on Raymarine equipment, with chartplotting, autopilot and sailing instruments available at the helm.
• Raymarine Axiom 12-inch multifunction chartplotter
• Navionics cartography covering Italy
• Raymarine Evolution autopilot
• Raymarine wind instrumentation
• Raymarine log
• VHF radio
• Two steering compasses
• Barometer, clock and thermometer
DECK EQUIPMENT
The cockpit is arranged around a substantial central table with twin helm stations and direct access aft to the opening bathing platform. Sail handling is supported by self-tailing and coachroof winches, while the cockpit incorporates an external cooking and refrigeration area for use at anchor or alongside.
• Twin Carbonautica steering wheels
• Two oversized self-tailing winches
• One electric coachroof winch
• One additional coachroof winch
• Electric anchor windlass, renewed in 2026
• Delta anchor
• Approximately 75m of anchor chain
• Mooring lines
• Stainless-steel and teak bathing ladder
• Hot and cold cockpit shower
• Sprayhood
• Bimini top
• Complete exterior cockpit cushions
• Opening stern platform
• Cockpit table with stainless-steel Isotherm refrigerator, renewed in 2025
• Cockpit gas cooking plate or barbecue and sink
DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT
Comfort aboard is supported by cabin heating and a straightforward entertainment installation serving both the interior and cockpit.
• Webasto heating
• Radio/CD/MP3 player
• USB connection
• Cockpit speakers
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Safety equipment is carried for ten persons. Confirmed installations and equipment include:
• Radar reflector
• Navigation lights
• Bilge pumping arrangements
• Guardrails and stainless-steel deck fittings
DOCUMENTATION
The yacht is Italian registered. The available documentation provides a useful record of ownership, equipment, servicing and the principal work undertaken during the current ownership.
• Italian registration documents
• Builder's Certificate
• Original equipment manuals
• Annual engine-service invoices
• Invoices supporting replacements and other work
• Maintenance records
• RINA survey completed in 2026
• Records relating to systems and seacock inspections
Disclaimer
Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
- This vessel is VAT not paid.
- As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.
- This boat is lying in Tuscany, Italy.
- © 2026 Nicolle Associates
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Propulsion
Engine Make:Volvo Penta
Engine Model:D2-75
Total Power:75hp
Engine Hours:3250
Engine Type:Inboard
Drive Type:Sail Drive
Fuel Type:Diesel
Propeller Type:3 Blade
Measurements
Dimensions
Length Overall:15.2m
Max Draft:2.3m
Min Draft:2.3m
Beam:4.8m
Miscellaneous
Hull Material:Fiberglass
Hull Shape:Monohull
Keel Type:Bulb Keel
Tanks
Fresh Water Tank:720 l
Fuel Tank:450 l
Holding Tank:
Accommodations
Cabins:4
Heads:2
Want more specs?
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Meet the Seller
Adrian Nicolle
Adrian has a customer-focused, service-led background with experience growing businesses from start-ups to London Stock Exchange-listed companies. A 200gt Master of Yachts, he has raced and cruised internationally, served on the Royal Southern YC board, and was Cowes Week Chief Race Officer. He specialises in large sail and motor yachts, providing expert, trustworthy guidance before, during, and after purchase.
