1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Oyster |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is 0.31m longer than the 2004 Oyster 46. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 20% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.92 and 89.2 m² of sail area. The 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2004 Oyster 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 227L of fuel. The 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2004 Oyster 46 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1977 Nautor Swan 47 · 2004 Oyster 46