Bavaria 44 vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 44 | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Finland |
| Designer | J&J Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 44 and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 44 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Bavaria 44 was penned by J&J Design. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 44 measures 13.55m (44.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.18m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 0.50m longer than the Bavaria 44. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 20% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.57 and 86.0 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 Bavaria 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 31.4% for the Bavaria 44 and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 44 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 230L 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 Bavaria 44 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 44 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: Bavaria 44 · 1993 Nautor Swan 46