The Swan 57 Ss is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 45.8′, the Swan 57 Ss tops out around 9.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √45.8′ LWL = 9.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
42s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
17.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
39.2
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.73
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
39.2
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.73
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Swan 57 Ss sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Swan 59
21s/nm
Swan 57 Ss
42s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.4 |
6.9 |
7.7 |
8.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.1 |
7.4 |
| Run150–180° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (9.1 kts),
SA/D (17.4), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Swan 57 Ss — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Swan 57 Ss.
|
Swan 57 Ss |
Baltic 58 |
Cc 57 |
Little Harbor 57 |
Swan 57Cc Frers |
Swan 59 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
57.4 |
58.5 |
57.0 |
56.7 |
57.0 |
58.7 |
| LWL |
45.8 |
47.6 |
56.0 |
47.3 |
42.9 |
48.2 |
| Beam |
15.9 |
16.6 |
15.5 |
16.8 |
15.0 |
16.4 |
| Displacement |
49 |
41 |
45 |
54 |
52 |
62 |
| Ballast |
18 |
18 |
17 |
22 |
19 |
22 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
42 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
21 |
| SA/Disp |
17.4 |
21.6 |
16.5 |
17.9 |
15.6 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
43.2 |
38.7 |
— |
38.3 |
36.5 |
| Comfort |
39.2 |
30.3 |
32.6 |
39.1 |
46.4 |
45.3 |
| Capsize |
1.73 |
1.91 |
1.74 |
1.78 |
1.61 |
1.66 |
| Hull Speed |
9.1 |
9.2 |
10.0 |
9.2 |
8.8 |
9.3 |