Beneteau First 44.7 vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 0.57m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 44.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of sail area. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46, with an SA/D of 17.59 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 44.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 44.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 44.7 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 220L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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 Beneteau First 44.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 44.7 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: Beneteau First 44.7 · 1993 Nautor Swan 46