2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs Catalina 445 — Comparison
2008 Nautor Swan 45
Catalina 445
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | Catalina 445 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 13.56 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 379 L (100.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and Catalina 445 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Catalina 445 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The Catalina 445 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the Catalina 445 at 13.56m (44.5ft) with a 4.17m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 0.28m longer than the Catalina 445. The Catalina 445 displaces approximately 9% 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 Catalina 445, with an SA/D of 16.91 and 84.0 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 Catalina 445 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 38.0% for the Catalina 445, 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 Catalina 445 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L water and 189L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 445 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 Catalina 445 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.