1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs Bavaria 46 — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | Bavaria 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and Bavaria 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 46 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria 46 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Bavaria 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is 0.36m longer than the Bavaria 46. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 displaces approximately 22% 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 Bavaria 46, with an SA/D of 19.28 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 46 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 Bavaria 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 31.3% for the Bavaria 46, 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 Bavaria 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L 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 Bavaria 46 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 46 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 48 · Bavaria 46