1990 Nautor Swan 53 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Nautor Swan 53 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 1990–1999 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 112.0 m² (1,206 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 550 L (145.3 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 was penned by German Frers. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 measures 16.15m (53.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.40m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is 2.05m longer than the 2005 Contest 46CS. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 displaces approximately 28% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.05 and 112.0 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 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.68). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 39.5% for the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L of water capacity and 350L of fuel. The 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1990 Nautor Swan 53 · 2005 Contest 46CS