Catalina 545 vs 2003 Nautor Swan 50 — Comparison
Catalina 545
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 545 | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2014 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 605 L (159.8 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 545 and 2003 Nautor Swan 50 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 545 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Catalina 545 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Catalina 545 measures 16.46m (54.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.72m, compared to the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 at 15.24m (50.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The Catalina 545 is 1.22m longer than the 2003 Nautor Swan 50. The Catalina 545 displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 545 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.65 and 120.0 m² of sail area. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50, with an SA/D of 18.45 and 108.0 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 Catalina 545 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 545 and 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 545 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L of water capacity and 340L of fuel. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 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 Catalina 545 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: Catalina 545 · 2003 Nautor Swan 50