1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs Bavaria 40 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | Bavaria 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and Bavaria 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 40 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria 40 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the Bavaria 40 at 12.35m (40.5ft) with a 3.99m beam. The Bavaria 40 is 0.05m longer than the 1997 Nautor Swan 40.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.93 and 73.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Bavaria 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 30.6% for the Bavaria 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Bavaria 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 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 1997 Nautor Swan 40 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 40 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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