2002 Beneteau First 40.7 vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
2002 Beneteau First 40.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 1.86m longer than the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 74% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.49 and 74.0 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 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 160L of water capacity and 80L 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 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 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: 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 · 1993 Nautor Swan 46