2013 Beneteau Sense 50 vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
2013 Beneteau Sense 50
1993 Nautor Swan 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2013–2018 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.42 m (50.6 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.70 m (15.4 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 measures 15.42m (50.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.70m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 is 1.37m longer than the 1993 Nautor Swan 46. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 displaces approximately 14% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.36 and 105.0 m² of sail area. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46, with an SA/D of 17.59 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 28.6% for the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 220L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2013 Beneteau Sense 50 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.