2005 Nautor Swan 54 vs 2008 Contest 50CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Nautor Swan 54 | 2008 Contest 50CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2008–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.50 m (54.1 ft) | 15.25 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.45 m (14.6 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 17,500 kg (38,581 lbs) | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,600 kg (14,550 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 115.0 m² (1,238 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 360 L (95.1 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 560 L (147.9 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 and 2008 Contest 50CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2008 Contest 50CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 was penned by German Frers. The 2008 Contest 50CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 2005 Nautor Swan 54 measures 16.50m (54.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.45m, compared to the 2008 Contest 50CS at 15.25m (50.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 is 1.25m longer than the 2008 Contest 50CS. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 displaces approximately 6% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2005 Nautor Swan 54 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.33 and 115.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Contest 50CS, with an SA/D of 16.92 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2005 Nautor Swan 54 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2008 Contest 50CS has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 37.7% for the 2005 Nautor Swan 54 and 37.6% for the 2008 Contest 50CS, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2005 Nautor Swan 54 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 560L of water capacity and 360L of fuel. The 2008 Contest 50CS offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L water and 450L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Contest 50CS 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 2005 Nautor Swan 54 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: 2005 Nautor Swan 54 · 2008 Contest 50CS