1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs 2003 Nautor Swan 50 — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Finland |
| Designer | German Frers | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 2003 Nautor Swan 50 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 at 15.24m (50.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is 0.61m longer than the 1997 Nautor Swan 48. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 displaces approximately 7% 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50, with an SA/D of 18.45 and 108.0 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50, 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1997 Nautor Swan 48 · 2003 Nautor Swan 50