The Southerly 540 2017 vs Southerly 57 2020 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Southerly 57 2020 measures 58,2 feet overall (2020), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Southerly 540 2017 at 54,7 feet (2017). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Southerly 57 2020 tips the scales at 76 639 lbs — 25 161 lbs less than the Southerly 540 2017 at 51 478 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 146 hp for the Southerly 540 2017 and 146 hp for the Southerly 57 2020. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Southerly 57 2020 carries 368 gallons versus 238 gallons in the Southerly 540 2017. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Southerly 57 2020 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Southerly 540 2017 caps at 16. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Southerly 57 2020 could be the deciding factor.

Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Southerly 57 2020 displaces 76 639 lbs — a 25 161-lb difference over the Southerly 540 2017 at 51 478 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 11,0 ft and 10,8 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Southerly 540 2017 uses Sloop rigging.

Hull speed is rated at 9,7 knots for the Southerly 57 2020 and 9,4 knots for the Southerly 540 2017. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Southerly 57 2020 carries 275 gallons versus 211 gallons on the Southerly 540 2017 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.