Bavaria 37 vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Finland |
| Designer | J&J Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 2.67m longer than the Bavaria 37. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 77% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 37 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46, with an SA/D of 17.59 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 37 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 130L of fuel. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 220L 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: The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Bavaria 37 · 1993 Nautor Swan 46