2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs 1990 Sabre 36 — Comparison
1990 Sabre 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | 1990 Sabre 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Sabre |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 1990–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 1990 Sabre 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1990 Sabre 36 is a 1990s offering from Sabre from USA. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The 1990 Sabre 36 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 1990 Sabre 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 2.87m longer than the 1990 Sabre 36. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 77% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.21 and 95.0 m² of sail area. The 1990 Sabre 36, with an SA/D of 16.34 and 52.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1990 Sabre 36 has a comfort ratio of 19.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 41.5% for the 1990 Sabre 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 provides 6 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The 1990 Sabre 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Sabre 36 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 2008 Nautor Swan 45 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: 2008 Nautor Swan 45 · 1990 Sabre 36