2005 Nautor Swan 54 vs 2012 Contest 55CS — Comparison
2012 Contest 55CS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Nautor Swan 54 | 2012 Contest 55CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Contest |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Netherlands |
| Designer | German Frers | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.50 m (54.1 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.45 m (14.6 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.60 m (8.5 ft) | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 17,500 kg (38,581 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,600 kg (14,550 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 115.0 m² (1,238 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 360 L (95.1 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 560 L (147.9 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 and 2012 Contest 55CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2012 Contest 55CS is a modern offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 2005 Nautor Swan 54 was penned by German Frers. The 2012 Contest 55CS 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 2012 Contest 55CS at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 2012 Contest 55CS is 0.30m longer than the 2005 Nautor Swan 54. The 2012 Contest 55CS displaces approximately 14% 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 2012 Contest 55CS, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 125.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 2012 Contest 55CS has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 37.7% for the 2005 Nautor Swan 54 and 37.5% for the 2012 Contest 55CS, 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 2012 Contest 55CS offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L water and 600L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2012 Contest 55CS 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 · 2012 Contest 55CS