2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs 1992 Contest 42 — Comparison
2008 Nautor Swan 45
1992 Contest 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | 1992 Contest 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 1992 Contest 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The 1992 Contest 42 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 1992 Contest 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 1.04m longer than the 1992 Contest 42. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 0% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.21 and 95.0 m² of sail area. The 1992 Contest 42, with an SA/D of 16.20 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1992 Contest 42 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 provides 6 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The 1992 Contest 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Contest 42 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 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1992 Contest 42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.