1984 Nautor Swan 57 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
1984 Nautor Swan 57
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Nautor Swan 57 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.37 m (57.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 23,587 kg (52,000 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 130.0 m² (1,399 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 was penned by German Frers. The 2012 Contest 55CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 measures 17.37m (57.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.57m, compared to the 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is 0.57m longer than the 2012 Contest 55CS. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.05 and 130.0 m² of sail area. The 2012 Contest 55CS, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 125.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Contest 55CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.64). The 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The 2012 Contest 55CS offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L water and 600L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 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 2012 Contest 55CS 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.