Bavaria Cruiser 36 vs 1983 Nautor Swan 44 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 36 | 1983 Nautor Swan 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 1983–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Finland |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 1983 Nautor Swan 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.57m, compared to the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 is 2.11m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 36. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 displaces approximately 77% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44, with an SA/D of 16.50 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36 and 40.0% for the 1983 Nautor Swan 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 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: Bavaria Cruiser 36 · 1983 Nautor Swan 44