BoatsSwan 51

Swan 51

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1980–1985

The inaugural German Frers design for Swan, this masthead sloop balances a powerful 17.85 SA/D ratio with offshore comfort

Designed by German Frers, built by Nautor.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

See her sail

The Swan 51, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from SEILmagasinet

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a narrow beam gives 38 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 38
CoastalBluewater

1.73 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.73
LightHeavy

233 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 233
EasygoingPowered-up

17.9 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 17.9
TenderStiff

42% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 42%

A capable offshore cruiser with an easy motion when the sea gets up.

  • Heavier than ~88% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~95% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~78% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1562 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen once across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Swan 51 on video

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
41.7%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
17.9
Displacement / length
233.1
Comfort ratio
38.0
Capsize screening
1.73
Hull speed
8.7 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
2219
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1980–1985
Units built
36
Designer
German Frers
Builder
Nautor

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Kraken Yachts 50 (Dibley)15.24 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA 15.24-metre offshore cruiser with a 19.77 sail area-to-displacement ratio for balanced performance in varied conditions
Baltic Yachts 5115.52 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 15.5-metre cruiser produced through the 1980s, offering a powerful sail-area-to-displacement ratio for its size
Dufour Yachts 4815.29 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA 15.29-metre performance cruiser with a 4.85-metre beam and a 2.35-metre draft for offshore stability
Bavaria Yachts 5115.60 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 15.6-metre masthead sloop with a 2.4-metre draft, designed for high-volume cruising and steady offshore speed
Baltic Yachts 5216.00 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA Sparkman & Stephens masthead sloop built by Baltic, balancing a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio with stiff performance
Beneteau First 53f515.90 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA Bruce Farr performance cruiser styled by Pininfarina, featuring multiple cabin layouts and an optional shoal wing keel

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

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The fleet has more to say

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