2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
2008 Nautor Swan 45
2015 Elan 450
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Elan |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Slovenia |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 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 | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 160 L (42.3 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 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The 2015 Elan 450 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 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 0.01m longer than the 2008 Nautor Swan 45. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 4% 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 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 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 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, 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 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 2015 Elan 450 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.