2003 Nautor Swan 50 vs 2008 Oyster 56 — Comparison
2008 Oyster 56
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 | 2008 Oyster 56 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Oyster |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2008–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | United Kingdom |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) | 17.10 m (56.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 14.30 m (46.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 21,000 kg (46,297 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 128.0 m² (1,378 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 480 L (126.8 gal) | 850 L (224.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 and 2008 Oyster 56 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2008 Oyster 56 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 was penned by German Frers. The 2008 Oyster 56 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 measures 15.24m (50.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 2008 Oyster 56 at 17.10m (56.1ft) with a 4.72m beam. The 2008 Oyster 56 is 1.86m longer than the 2003 Nautor Swan 50. The 2008 Oyster 56 displaces approximately 45% 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 2008 Oyster 56, with an SA/D of 17.08 and 128.0 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 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 2008 Oyster 56 has a comfort ratio of 17.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 and 37.1% for the 2008 Oyster 56, 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 2008 Oyster 56 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 850L water and 500L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Oyster 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 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 2008 Oyster 56 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 2003 Nautor Swan 50 · 2008 Oyster 56