1984 Nautor Swan 57 vs 2015 Contest 62CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Nautor Swan 57 | 2015 Contest 62CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.37 m (57.0 ft) | 18.90 m (62.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 16.00 m (52.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) | 5.10 m (16.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 23,587 kg (52,000 lbs) | 27,000 kg (59,525 lbs) |
| Ballast | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 10,000 kg (22,046 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 130.0 m² (1,399 ft²) | 152.0 m² (1,636 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 200 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 800 L (211.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 1200 L (317.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 2015 Contest 62CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2015 Contest 62CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 was penned by German Frers. The 2015 Contest 62CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 measures 17.37m (57.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.57m, compared to the 2015 Contest 62CS at 18.90m (62.0ft) with a 5.10m beam. The 2015 Contest 62CS is 1.53m longer than the 1984 Nautor Swan 57. The 2015 Contest 62CS displaces approximately 14% 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 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 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 2015 Contest 62CS has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 37.0% for the 2015 Contest 62CS, 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 2015 Contest 62CS offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 1200L water and 800L 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 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: 1984 Nautor Swan 57 · 2015 Contest 62CS