1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs Bavaria Cruiser 34 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | Bavaria Cruiser 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 2010–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and Bavaria Cruiser 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was designed by Farr Yacht 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 Cruiser 34 at 10.25m (33.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 2.05m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 55% 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 Cruiser 34, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 Cruiser 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34, 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 Cruiser 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 34 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1997 Nautor Swan 40 · Bavaria Cruiser 34