1996 Contest 48CS vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Finland |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1996 Contest 48CS measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1996 Contest 48CS is 0.58m longer than the 1993 Nautor Swan 46. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Contest 48CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.39 and 98.0 m² of sail area. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46, with an SA/D of 17.59 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Contest 48CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Contest 48CS provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 220L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Contest 48CS 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1996 Contest 48CS 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: 1996 Contest 48CS · 1993 Nautor Swan 46