The fin keel model displaces 49,500 lb (22,453 kg) and carries 18,900 lb (8,573 kg) of lead ballast, while the centerboard version displaces 51,500 lb (23,360 kg) and carries 20,900 lb (9,480 kg) of lead ballast.[1][2][3][4][5][6][9]
The keel-equipped version of the boat has a draft of 9.10 ft (2.77 m), while the centerboard-equipped version has a draft of 10.20 ft (3.11 m) with the centerboard extended and 6.40 ft (1.95 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water.[1][2][3][4][5][6][9]
The boat is fitted with a British Perkins Engines 4.236 M diesel engine of 73 hp (54 kW) for docking and manoeuvring. The fuel tank holds 151 U.S. gallons (570 L; 126 imp gal) and the fresh water tank has a capacity of 264 U.S. gallons (1,000 L; 220 imp gal).[1][2][3][4][5][6][9]
The design has sleeping accommodation for nine people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin, an U-shaped settee and a straight settee in the main salon, two bunk beds and a single bed in the forward salon and two aft cabins, one with a double berth on the port side and a single berth on the starboard. The galley is located on the port side, abeam the companionway ladder. The galley is C-shaped and is equipped with a three-burner stove, an ice box and a double sink. A navigation station is opposite the galley, on the starboard side. There are two heads, one just aft of the bow cabin on the starboard side and one on the port side, aft.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker of 3,046 sq ft (283.0 m2) or 2,960 sq ft (275 m2) for the ketch-rigged model.[9]
The design has a hull speed of 9.07 kn (16.80 km/h). The sloop rigged boat with a fixed keel has a PHRF handicap of 21 to 63, the sloop centreboard version 39 to 51, the ketch fixed keel 57 and the ketch with the centreboard 54 to 60.[1][2][3][4][5][6][19]
Operational history
In a 2009 review, yacht broker Richard Jordan wrote, "the 57-footer has the classic S&S rocket ship stern, modest sheerline, and raked bow. These Swans always are handsome yachts with their sexy low freeboard and wide decks. More than one client we have tried to talk out of buying a boat this size, but the siren call of a Swan is a powerful draw. Even 30 years after her introduction, a Swan 57 is sure to be one of the prettiest yachts in any harbor."[10]