2000 Catalina 470 vs 1990 Nautor Swan 53 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2000 Catalina 470 | 1990 Nautor Swan 53 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2000–2008 | 1990–1999 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.6 m² (964 ft²) | 112.0 m² (1,206 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2000 Catalina 470 and 1990 Nautor Swan 53 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2000 Catalina 470 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 2000 Catalina 470 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 2000 Catalina 470 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 at 16.15m (53.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is 1.82m longer than the 2000 Catalina 470. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 displaces approximately 31% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2000 Catalina 470 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.33 and 89.6 m² of sail area. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 112.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2000 Catalina 470 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has a comfort ratio of 19.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 2000 Catalina 470 and 39.5% for the 1990 Nautor Swan 53, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2000 Catalina 470 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 227L of fuel. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 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: The 2000 Catalina 470 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: 2000 Catalina 470 · 1990 Nautor Swan 53