1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Elan |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Slovenia |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 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) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is 0.78m longer than the 2016 Elan GT5. 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 2016 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 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 2016 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 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 2016 Elan GT5, 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 2016 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 2016 Elan GT5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2016 Elan GT5 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 · 2016 Elan GT5