2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs 2013 Oyster 485 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | 2013 Oyster 485 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Oyster |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2013–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | United Kingdom |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 14.85 m (48.7 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.38 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 14,200 kg (31,306 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 2013 Oyster 485 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2013 Oyster 485 is a modern offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The 2013 Oyster 485 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 2013 Oyster 485 at 14.85m (48.7ft) with a 4.38m beam. The 2013 Oyster 485 is 1.01m longer than the 2008 Nautor Swan 45. The 2013 Oyster 485 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.21 and 95.0 m² of sail area. The 2013 Oyster 485, with an SA/D of 16.98 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2013 Oyster 485 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 38.0% for the 2013 Oyster 485, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 provides 6 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The 2013 Oyster 485 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2013 Oyster 485 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 Nautor Swan 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2013 Oyster 485 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: 2008 Nautor Swan 45 · 2013 Oyster 485