2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs 1996 Moody 45 — Comparison
2008 Nautor Swan 45
1996 Moody 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | 1996 Moody 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Moody |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 1996–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | UK |
| Designer | German Frers | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.22 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 1996 Moody 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1996 Moody 45 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The 1996 Moody 45 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 1996 Moody 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.22m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 0.12m longer than the 1996 Moody 45. The 1996 Moody 45 displaces approximately 20% 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 1996 Moody 45, with an SA/D of 16.03 and 85.0 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 1996 Moody 45 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 39.2% for the 1996 Moody 45, 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 1996 Moody 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Moody 45 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: The 1996 Moody 45 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.