2000 Catalina 470 vs 2003 Nautor Swan 50 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2000 Catalina 470 | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2000–2008 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.6 m² (964 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2000 Catalina 470 and 2003 Nautor Swan 50 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2000 Catalina 470 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 2000 Catalina 470 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 at 15.24m (50.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is 0.91m longer than the 2000 Catalina 470. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 displaces approximately 10% 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 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 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 2000 Catalina 470 and 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50, 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2000 Catalina 470 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 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 · 2003 Nautor Swan 50