1997 Nautor Swan 48 vs Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 48
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 48 | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Beneteau |
| Year | 1997–2004 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Berret-Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.24 m (13.9 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 420 L (111.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 was penned by German Frers. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was designed by Berret-Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 measures 14.63m (48.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.24m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 at 14.60m (47.9ft) with a 4.49m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 is 0.03m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1. The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 displaces approximately 24% 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, with an SA/D of 19.10 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has a comfort ratio of 12.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 48 and 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Nautor Swan 48 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.