1984 Nautor Swan 57 vs 2014 Amel 55 — Comparison
1984 Nautor Swan 57
2014 Amel 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Nautor Swan 57 | 2014 Amel 55 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Amel |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 2014–2021 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Olivier Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.37 m (57.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) |
| Beam | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) | 4.75 m (15.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 23,587 kg (52,000 lbs) | 19,500 kg (42,990 lbs) |
| Ballast | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 130.0 m² (1,399 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 580 L (153.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 780 L (206.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 2014 Amel 55 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2014 Amel 55 is a modern offering from Amel from France. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 was penned by German Frers. The 2014 Amel 55 was designed by Olivier Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 measures 17.37m (57.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.57m, compared to the 2014 Amel 55 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.75m beam. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is 0.57m longer than the 2014 Amel 55. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 displaces approximately 21% 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 2014 Amel 55, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2014 Amel 55 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 2014 Amel 55 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 34.9% for the 2014 Amel 55, 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 2014 Amel 55 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 780L water and 580L 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 2014 Amel 55 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.