2000 Nautor Swan 56 vs 2015 Contest 62CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2000 Nautor Swan 56 | 2015 Contest 62CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 2000–2007 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.07 m (56.0 ft) | 18.90 m (62.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) | 16.00 m (52.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) | 5.10 m (16.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) | 27,000 kg (59,525 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 10,000 kg (22,046 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 128.0 m² (1,378 ft²) | 152.0 m² (1,636 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 200 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 800 L (211.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 650 L (171.7 gal) | 1200 L (317.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2000 Nautor Swan 56 and 2015 Contest 62CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2000 Nautor Swan 56 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2015 Contest 62CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2000 Nautor Swan 56 was penned by German Frers. The 2015 Contest 62CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2000 Nautor Swan 56 measures 17.07m (56.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.55m, compared to the 2015 Contest 62CS at 18.90m (62.0ft) with a 5.10m beam. The 2015 Contest 62CS is 1.83m longer than the 2000 Nautor Swan 56. The 2015 Contest 62CS displaces approximately 35% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2000 Nautor Swan 56 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.64 and 128.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Contest 62CS, with an SA/D of 17.15 and 152.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2000 Nautor Swan 56 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2000 Nautor Swan 56 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 2015 Contest 62CS has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 39.0% for the 2000 Nautor Swan 56 and 37.0% for the 2015 Contest 62CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2000 Nautor Swan 56 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 650L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The 2015 Contest 62CS offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 1200L water and 800L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2000 Nautor Swan 56 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 2000 Nautor Swan 56 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 2000 Nautor Swan 56 · 2015 Contest 62CS