1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs Bavaria 37 — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 40
Bavaria 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | Bavaria 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 2000–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and Bavaria 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 37 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria 37 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the Bavaria 37 at 11.38m (37.3ft) with a 3.61m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 0.92m longer than the Bavaria 37. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 23% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.93 and 73.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 37, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Bavaria 37 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 31.9% for the Bavaria 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Bavaria 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 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 1997 Nautor Swan 40 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.