Catalina 545 vs 1990 Nautor Swan 53 — Comparison
Catalina 545
1990 Nautor Swan 53
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 545 | 1990 Nautor Swan 53 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2014 | 1990–1999 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) | 112.0 m² (1,206 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 605 L (159.8 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 545 and 1990 Nautor Swan 53 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 545 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Catalina 545 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Catalina 545 measures 16.46m (54.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.72m, compared to the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 at 16.15m (53.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The Catalina 545 is 0.31m longer than the 1990 Nautor Swan 53. The Catalina 545 displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 545 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.65 and 120.0 m² of sail area. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 112.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 545 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 545 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has a comfort ratio of 19.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 545 and 39.5% for the 1990 Nautor Swan 53, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 545 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L of water capacity and 340L of fuel. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L 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 Catalina 545 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 545 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.