1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 2009–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 13.75 m (45.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.10 m (39.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.25 m (13.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i at 13.75m (45.1ft) with a 4.25m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is 0.88m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 displaces approximately 33% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i, with an SA/D of 18.36 and 85.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 31.4% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i 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 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i