2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs 2003 Dehler 42 DS — Comparison
2008 Nautor Swan 45
2003 Dehler 42 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | 2003 Dehler 42 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Dehler |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 8,800 kg (19,401 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 2003 Dehler 42 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2003 Dehler 42 DS is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 2003 Dehler 42 DS at 12.77m (41.9ft) with a 3.93m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 1.07m longer than the 2003 Dehler 42 DS. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 19% 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 78.0 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 34.1% for the 2003 Dehler 42 DS, 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.