1971 Nautor Swan 65 vs 2015 Contest 62CS — Comparison
1971 Nautor Swan 65
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1971 Nautor Swan 65 | 2015 Contest 62CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 1971–1989 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 19.81 m (65.0 ft) | 18.90 m (62.0 ft) |
| LWL | 15.09 m (49.5 ft) | 16.00 m (52.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) | 5.10 m (16.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 27,216 kg (60,001 lbs) | 27,000 kg (59,525 lbs) |
| Ballast | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) | 10,000 kg (22,046 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 139.0 m² (1,496 ft²) | 152.0 m² (1,636 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 120 HP | 200 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 800 L (211.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 750 L (198.1 gal) | 1200 L (317.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 and 2015 Contest 62CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2015 Contest 62CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 2015 Contest 62CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 measures 19.81m (65.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.72m, compared to the 2015 Contest 62CS at 18.90m (62.0ft) with a 5.10m beam. The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 is 0.91m longer than the 2015 Contest 62CS. The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.60 and 139.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Contest 62CS, with an SA/D of 17.15 and 152.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Contest 62CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.63). The 2015 Contest 62CS has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 and 37.0% for the 2015 Contest 62CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 750L of water capacity and 450L of fuel. The 2015 Contest 62CS offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 1200L water and 800L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 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 2015 Contest 62CS 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1971 Nautor Swan 65 · 2015 Contest 62CS