1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs 2003 Nautor Swan 50 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
2003 Nautor Swan 50
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Finland |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 2003 Nautor Swan 50 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 at 15.24m (50.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is 0.91m longer than the 1977 Nautor Swan 47. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 3% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.92 and 89.2 m² of sail area. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50, with an SA/D of 18.45 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 227L of fuel. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.