2003 Nautor Swan 50 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Oyster |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | United Kingdom |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 480 L (126.8 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 was penned by German Frers. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 measures 15.24m (50.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is 1.22m longer than the 2004 Oyster 46. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 displaces approximately 16% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.45 and 108.0 m² of sail area. The 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L of water capacity and 280L of fuel. The 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 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 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 2003 Nautor Swan 50 · 2004 Oyster 46