1987 Hylas 49 vs 1990 Nautor Swan 53 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Hylas 49 | 1990 Nautor Swan 53 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hylas | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1987–1998 | 1990–1999 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Taiwan | Finland |
| Designer | German Frers | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.94 m (49.0 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,422 kg (34,000 lbs) | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 99.6 m² (1,072 ft²) | 112.0 m² (1,206 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Hylas 49 and 1990 Nautor Swan 53 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Hylas 49 is a 1980s design by Hylas from Taiwan, while the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1987 Hylas 49 was penned by German Frers. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1987 Hylas 49 measures 14.94m (49.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.27m, compared to the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 at 16.15m (53.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is 1.21m longer than the 1987 Hylas 49. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Hylas 49 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.33 and 99.6 m² of sail area. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 112.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Hylas 49 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has a comfort ratio of 19.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1987 Hylas 49 and 39.5% for the 1990 Nautor Swan 53, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Hylas 49 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 568L of water capacity and 303L of fuel. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Hylas 49 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 1990 Nautor Swan 53 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1987 Hylas 49 · 1990 Nautor Swan 53