1993 Nautor Swan 46 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
1993 Nautor Swan 46
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Oyster |
| Year | 1993–2001 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | United Kingdom |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was penned by German Frers. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 measures 14.05m (46.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 0.03m longer than the 2004 Oyster 46. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.59 and 92.0 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.7) 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 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 220L of fuel. The 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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.