1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs Bavaria 50 Cruiser — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | Bavaria 50 Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 15.40 m (50.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.55 m (14.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 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) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 530 L (140.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 5 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and Bavaria 50 Cruiser represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 50 Cruiser is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser was designed by Farr Yacht 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 50 Cruiser at 15.40m (50.5ft) with a 4.55m beam. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser is 0.77m longer than the 1997 Nautor Swan 48. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser displaces approximately 3% 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 50 Cruiser, with an SA/D of 18.89 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 50 Cruiser 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 50 Cruiser has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 32.1% for the Bavaria 50 Cruiser, 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 50 Cruiser offers 10 berths in 5 cabins with 530L water and 300L 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 50 Cruiser 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 50 Cruiser 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 50 Cruiser