2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Beneteau |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 at 11.50m (37.7ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 2.34m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 46% 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 62.5 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for 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 · Beneteau Oceanis 38.1