1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs 1986 Westerly Oceanlord — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | 1986 Westerly Oceanlord |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Westerly |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 1986–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | UK |
| Designer | German Frers | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 9,980 kg (22,002 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 182 L (48.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 1986 Westerly Oceanlord represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is 2.59m longer than the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.71 and 105.0 m² of sail area. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 36.4% for the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 182L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 48 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 48 · 1986 Westerly Oceanlord