1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 vs 2003 Nautor Swan 50 — Comparison
1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hallberg-Rassy | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1999–2005 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | Finland |
| Designer | German Frers | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 150 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 900 L (237.8 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 and 2003 Nautor Swan 50 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 is a 1990s design by Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden, while the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 was penned by German Frers. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 measures 16.80m (55.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.65m, compared to the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 at 15.24m (50.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 is 1.56m longer than the 2003 Nautor Swan 50. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.23 and 125.0 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 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) 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 37.5% for the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 and 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L of water capacity and 600L of fuel. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 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 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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: 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 · 2003 Nautor Swan 50