2003 Nautor Swan 50 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 480 L (126.8 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 was penned by German Frers. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 measures 15.24m (50.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is 1.14m longer than the 2005 Contest 46CS. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.45 and 108.0 m² of sail area. The 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L of water capacity and 280L of fuel. The 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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: 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: 2003 Nautor Swan 50 · 2005 Contest 46CS