1996 Contest 48CS vs 2003 Nautor Swan 50 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Contest 48CS | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | Finland |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Contest 48CS and 2003 Nautor Swan 50 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Contest 48CS is a 1990s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1996 Contest 48CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 at 15.24m (50.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is 0.61m longer than the 1996 Contest 48CS. The 1996 Contest 48CS displaces approximately 3% 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50, with an SA/D of 18.45 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1996 Contest 48CS and 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50, 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 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 · 2003 Nautor Swan 50