1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs 2013 Oyster 485 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | 2013 Oyster 485 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Oyster |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 2013–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 14.85 m (48.7 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.38 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 14,200 kg (31,306 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 2013 Oyster 485 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2013 Oyster 485 is a modern offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 2013 Oyster 485 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 2013 Oyster 485 at 14.85m (48.7ft) with a 4.38m beam. The 2013 Oyster 485 is 0.52m longer than the 1977 Nautor Swan 47. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 5% 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 2013 Oyster 485, with an SA/D of 16.98 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2013 Oyster 485 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 2013 Oyster 485 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 38.0% for the 2013 Oyster 485, 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 2013 Oyster 485 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 300L 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 2013 Oyster 485 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1977 Nautor Swan 47 · 2013 Oyster 485