1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs Bavaria 44 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | Bavaria 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 2002–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and Bavaria 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 44 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria 44 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 44 at 13.55m (44.5ft) with a 4.18m beam. The Bavaria 44 is 1.25m longer than the 1997 Nautor Swan 40. The Bavaria 44 displaces approximately 20% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
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 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 44 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 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 31.4% for the Bavaria 44, 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 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 230L 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 Bavaria 44 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 44 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: 1997 Nautor Swan 40 · Bavaria 44