1990 Nautor Swan 53 vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
1990 Nautor Swan 53
2008 Contest 50CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Nautor Swan 53 | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 1990–1999 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 112.0 m² (1,206 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 was penned by German Frers. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 measures 16.15m (53.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.40m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is 0.90m longer than the 2008 Contest 50CS. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.05 and 112.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Contest 50CS, with an SA/D of 16.92 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.68). The 2008 Contest 50CS has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 39.5% for the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L of water capacity and 350L of fuel. The 2008 Contest 50CS offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L water and 450L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 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 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Contest 50CS offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.