2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Elan |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Slovenia |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 1.77m longer than the 2014 Elan 400. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 27% 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 2014 Elan 400, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 76.0 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 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, 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 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2014 Elan 400 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 2014 Elan 400 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 · 2014 Elan 400