2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Sabre |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
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 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 1.65m longer than the 2003 Sabre 402. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 28% 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 Sabre 402, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 66.0 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 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, 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 Sabre 402 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Sabre 402 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 Sabre 402 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · 2003 Sabre 402