1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 — Comparison

1977 Nautor Swan 471977 Nautor Swan 47
VS
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490

Specifications Side by Side

Specification1977 Nautor Swan 47Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490
General
ManufacturerNautor SwanJeanneau
Year1977–19852019
TypeSloopSloop
CountryFinlandFrance
DesignerSparkman & StephensPhilippe Briand
Dimensions
LOA14.33 m (47.0 ft)14.42 m (47.3 ft)
LWL10.67 m (35.0 ft)13.10 m (43.0 ft)
Beam4.09 m (13.4 ft)4.49 m (14.7 ft)
Draft2.29 m (7.5 ft)2.35 m (7.7 ft)
Weight
Displacement14,969 kg (33,001 lbs)12,000 kg (26,455 lbs)
Ballast6,350 kg (13,999 lbs)3,800 kg (8,378 lbs)
Sailing
Sail Area89.2 m² (960 ft²)98.0 m² (1,055 ft²)
Hull MaterialFiberglassFiberglass
Keel TypeFinFin
Engine & Tanks
Engine55 HP57 HP
Fuel Capacity227 L (60.0 gal)250 L (66.0 gal)
Water Capacity454 L (119.9 gal)460 L (121.5 gal)
Accommodation
Berths710
Cabins34

Performance Comparison

SA/D Ratio (Higher = more sail power per displacement)
1977 Nautor Swan 47
14.92
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490
18.99
Ballast Ratio (Higher = more stability)
1977 Nautor Swan 47
42.42
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490
31.67
Capsize Ratio (Lower = safer offshore)
1977 Nautor Swan 47
0.67
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490
0.79
Comfort Ratio (Higher = gentler motion)
1977 Nautor Swan 47
25.44
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490
13.69

Detailed Comparison

The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was designed by Philippe Briand.

In terms of size, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 at 14.42m (47.3ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is 0.09m longer than the 1977 Nautor Swan 47. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 25% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.

For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 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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