2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs Bavaria 46 — Comparison
2008 Nautor Swan 45
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | Bavaria 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 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 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and Bavaria 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria 46 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria 46 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 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 0.43m longer than the 2008 Nautor Swan 45. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 7% 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 46, with an SA/D of 19.28 and 95.0 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 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 31.3% for the Bavaria 46, 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 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Nautor Swan 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 Bavaria 46 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.