2003 Nautor Swan 50 vs 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47 — Comparison
2003 Nautor Swan 50
2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 | 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Wauquiez |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2008–2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 12.00 m (39.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 480 L (126.8 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 and 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47 is a 2000s offering from Wauquiez from France. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 was penned by German Frers. The 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 measures 15.24m (50.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47 at 14.33m (47.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is 0.91m longer than the 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 displaces approximately 16% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.45 and 108.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47, with an SA/D of 17.35 and 92.0 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 and 38.4% for the 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L of water capacity and 280L of fuel. The 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 280L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 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.