1984 Nautor Swan 57 vs Catalina 545 — Comparison
Catalina 545
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Nautor Swan 57 | Catalina 545 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.37 m (57.0 ft) | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 23,587 kg (52,000 lbs) | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 130.0 m² (1,399 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 605 L (159.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and Catalina 545 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Catalina 545 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 was penned by German Frers. The Catalina 545 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 measures 17.37m (57.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.57m, compared to the Catalina 545 at 16.46m (54.0ft) with a 4.72m beam. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is 0.91m longer than the Catalina 545. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.05 and 130.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 545, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 120.0 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 1984 Nautor Swan 57 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.64). The Catalina 545 has a comfort ratio of 15.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 37.5% for the Catalina 545, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The Catalina 545 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 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: 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: 1984 Nautor Swan 57 · Catalina 545