1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs Bavaria Cruiser 46 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | Bavaria Cruiser 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.60 m (41.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 57 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 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and Bavaria Cruiser 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria Cruiser 46 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 was designed by Farr Yacht 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 Cruiser 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is 0.06m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 46. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 30% 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 Cruiser 46, with an SA/D of 18.34 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria Cruiser 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 Bavaria Cruiser 46 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 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 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 Bavaria Cruiser 46 offers 10 berths in 4 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 Bavaria Cruiser 46 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 Cruiser 46 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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Or view individual specs: 1977 Nautor Swan 47 · Bavaria Cruiser 46