1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs Bavaria 44 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
Bavaria 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | Bavaria 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 2002–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and Bavaria 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 44 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The Bavaria 44 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the Bavaria 44 at 13.55m (44.5ft) with a 4.18m beam. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is 0.78m longer than the Bavaria 44. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 47% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.92 and 89.2 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 86.0 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 1977 Nautor Swan 47 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The Bavaria 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 31.4% for the Bavaria 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 227L of fuel. The Bavaria 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 230L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 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.