1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs Bavaria Vision 46 — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | Bavaria Vision 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | Farr Yacht 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) | 4.38 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 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 | 57 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 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and Bavaria Vision 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 Vision 46 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria Vision 46 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 Vision 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.38m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is 0.36m longer than the Bavaria Vision 46. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 displaces approximately 13% 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 Vision 46, with an SA/D of 18.41 and 95.0 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 Bavaria Vision 46 has a comfort ratio of 15.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 31.7% for the Bavaria Vision 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 Vision 46 offers 8 berths in 3 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 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 Bavaria Vision 46 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 · Bavaria Vision 46