1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs Bavaria 49 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
Bavaria 49
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | Bavaria 49 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 2005–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 14.98 m (49.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 13,000 kg (28,660 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 102.0 m² (1,098 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and Bavaria 49 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 49 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The Bavaria 49 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the Bavaria 49 at 14.98m (49.1ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Bavaria 49 is 0.65m longer than the 1977 Nautor Swan 47. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 15% 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 Bavaria 49, with an SA/D of 18.74 and 102.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 49 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 Bavaria 49 has a comfort ratio of 14.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 32.3% for the Bavaria 49, 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 Bavaria 49 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 500L water and 280L 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 Bavaria 49 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 49 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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