2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs Bavaria 42 — Comparison
2008 Nautor Swan 45
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | Bavaria 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and Bavaria 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 42 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria 42 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 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 0.85m longer than the Bavaria 42. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 12% 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 42, with an SA/D of 18.15 and 79.0 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 42 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 31.2% for the Bavaria 42, 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 42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 42 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 42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.