2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs Bavaria 44 — Comparison
2008 Nautor Swan 45
Bavaria 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | Bavaria 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2002–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and Bavaria 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 44 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria 44 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the Bavaria 44 at 13.55m (44.5ft) with a 4.18m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 0.29m longer than the Bavaria 44. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 2% 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 Bavaria 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Bavaria 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 31.4% for the Bavaria 44, 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 Bavaria 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 230L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 44 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 Bavaria 44 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.