1987 Hylas 49 vs 2005 Nautor Swan 54 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Hylas 49 | 2005 Nautor Swan 54 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hylas | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1987–1998 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Taiwan | Finland |
| Designer | German Frers | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.94 m (49.0 ft) | 16.50 m (54.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 4.45 m (14.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,422 kg (34,000 lbs) | 17,500 kg (38,581 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 6,600 kg (14,550 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 99.6 m² (1,072 ft²) | 115.0 m² (1,238 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 360 L (95.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 560 L (147.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Hylas 49 and 2005 Nautor Swan 54 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Hylas 49 is a 1980s design by Hylas from Taiwan, while the 2005 Nautor Swan 54 is a 2000s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1987 Hylas 49 was penned by German Frers. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 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 2005 Nautor Swan 54 at 16.50m (54.1ft) with a 4.45m beam. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 is 1.56m longer than the 1987 Hylas 49. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 displaces approximately 13% 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 2005 Nautor Swan 54, with an SA/D of 17.33 and 115.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 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 2005 Nautor Swan 54 has a comfort ratio of 17.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1987 Hylas 49 and 37.7% for the 2005 Nautor Swan 54, 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 2005 Nautor Swan 54 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 560L water and 360L 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 2005 Nautor Swan 54 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1987 Hylas 49 · 2005 Nautor Swan 54