1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 2008 Contest 50CS is 0.92m longer than the 1977 Nautor Swan 47. The 2008 Contest 50CS displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.92 and 89.2 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 2008 Contest 50CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 2008 Contest 50CS has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 227L of fuel. The 2008 Contest 50CS offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L water and 450L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Nautor Swan 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 2008 Contest 50CS 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1977 Nautor Swan 47 · 2008 Contest 50CS