Swan 57RS

1996 July 7
By Robert H. Perry

Offshore cruiserr

This new 57-footer from Nautor began life as a German Frers 55-footer. I think it is pretty clear, looking at the drawings, that the stern was pulled out. Still, the elegance is there and the sheer has not suffered with the extended stem. Oftentimes, the entire balance of the sheerline is thrown off when the stem is extended. We would have to look long and hard to find an ugly Swan, but the new 57 does break from the accepted Swan wedge-type deck.

Why is the wedge deck gone? By utilizing a standard cabintrunk, the designers can raise the cabin sole to get more useable volume below. It is

Note also that both main saloon plans are restricted by the perimeter
of he raised pilothouse. It's ironic that this visual and actual increase
in topside bulk results in a reduction of useable interior space.

also clear that our expectations for headroom have increased over the last few years, as have our expectations for accommodations. The 57RS (does RS stand for "really sleek?") comes with two interior options. There is the option of a forward arrangement, with two mirror-image guest staterooms with upper and lower berths and heads forward. There is a small crew's quarters forward of the heads, with access from the fo'c'sle to the starboard head. There is also the option of a three-stateroom model, with a more luxurious V-berth/double guest stateroom forward. Aft you have the option of a centerline double or an offset double.

The main saloon features a big dinette to port and the option of a short settee and nav station to starboard or a greatly expanded nav station. Both accommodation plans are quite comfy. I like the option of having a second double berth forward. Note also that both main saloon plans are restricted by the perimeter of the raised pilothouse. It's ironic that this visual and actual increase in topside bulk results in a reduction of useable interior space. The main saloon layout cannot extend athwartships beyond the perimeter of the pilothouse. This gives us large--and quite difficult-to-use effectively--stowage spaces under the side decks in the way of the pilothouse. Swan has put deck access lockers adjacent to the pilothouse to make this space more efficiently used.

The rig is a triple in-line spreader masthead sloop with spin pole stowed on the mast. A quick look at the deck plan will show that there was no place to put the pole on the deck without creating a real obstacle. For most cruisers, a mast-stowed pole is very convenient. There are two intermediate forward stays in addition to running backstays. This indicates a rather light spar section that will enhance stability but require some fussing by the crew to keep the stick in column. The SA/D is a very conservative 14.25 if we use the loaded figure for displacement.

The hull form shows conventional overhangs that give the 57RS a very yachty look. The D/L, if we use the loaded figure, is 298. I think we should keep in mind that these ratios are derived using a realistic "loaded" displacement figure and not the pie-in-the-sky drawing board displacement guess that we usually work with. The stubby look to the rudder appears to be an effort to keep the rudder draft less than the keel draft.