Beneteau First 47.7 vs 1990 Nautor Swan 53 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 47.7 | 1990 Nautor Swan 53 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 1990–1999 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 112.0 m² (1,206 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 47.7 and 1990 Nautor Swan 53 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Beneteau First 47.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 47.7 measures 14.69m (48.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 at 16.15m (53.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is 1.46m longer than the Beneteau First 47.7. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 47.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.93 and 105.0 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 47.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has a comfort ratio of 19.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7 and 39.5% for the 1990 Nautor Swan 53, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 47.7 provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 47.7 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: Beneteau First 47.7 · 1990 Nautor Swan 53