BoatsSwan 53

Swan 53

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1987–1995

A German Frers-designed masthead sloop featuring a deep fin keel and available with a performance-oriented tall rig

Designed by German Frers, built by Nautor.

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

See her sail

The Swan 53, on the water

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

Footage from Be The Captain

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

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

Capsize screening 1.76
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 246
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 17.3
TenderStiff

42% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 42%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

  • Heavier than ~89% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~99% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~85% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1364 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.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
42.1%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
17.3
Displacement / length
246.0
Comfort ratio
38.4
Capsize screening
1.76
Hull speed
8.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
2386
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1987–1995
Units built
50
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.

Oyster 53 (Humphreys)16.41 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA Rob Humphreys-designed masthead sloop built for blue-water cruising with a high comfort ratio and stable hull form
Pearson Yachts 53016.15 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthThe largest yacht ever built by Pearson, this William Shaw-designed staysail ketch balances heavy-displacement comfort
Moody 5416.43 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA cutter-rigged 16.43-metre cruiser featuring a skeg-mounted rudder and a 34% ballast ratio for offshore stability
Hylas 5616.48 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA 2011 masthead sloop with a 21.51 sail area to displacement ratio, engineered for spirited offshore performance
Oyster Marine 54 (Humphreys)16.43 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA Rob Humphreys-designed bluewater cutter featuring a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio and versatile keel options
Amel Mango 5216.15 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA robust masthead ketch designed for blue-water cruising, featuring a protected skeg-hung rudder and a stable hull form

The family

Boats like this

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

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