1983 Nautor Swan 44 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1983 Nautor Swan 44 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 1983–1991 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 0.69m longer than the 1983 Nautor Swan 44. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.50 and 82.0 m² of sail area. The 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Contest 46CS has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 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 2005 Contest 46CS 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: 1983 Nautor Swan 44 · 2005 Contest 46CS