2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser vs 1990 Nautor Swan 53 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser | 1990 Nautor Swan 53 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 1990–1999 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Finland |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.40 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 17,237 kg (38,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 112.0 m² (1,206 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and 1990 Nautor Swan 53 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the 1990 Nautor Swan 53 at 16.15m (53.0ft) with a 4.40m beam. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 is 1.88m longer than the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.34 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 112.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 has a comfort ratio of 19.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and 39.5% for the 1990 Nautor Swan 53, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Nautor Swan 53 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 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser 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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