1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 1999–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Sweden |
| Designer | German Frers | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 is a 1990s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 is 2.17m longer than the 1997 Nautor Swan 48. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 displaces approximately 47% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.71 and 105.0 m² of sail area. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 125.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 37.5% for the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L water and 600L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 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 48 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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: 1997 Nautor Swan 48 · 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55