Bavaria Vision 46 vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
Bavaria Vision 46
1993 Nautor Swan 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Vision 46 | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2015–2019 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Finland |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.38 m (14.4 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Vision 46 and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Vision 46 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Bavaria Vision 46 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Vision 46 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.38m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The Bavaria Vision 46 is 0.22m longer than the 1993 Nautor Swan 46. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Vision 46 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.41 and 95.0 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 Bavaria Vision 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Vision 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Bavaria Vision 46 and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Vision 46 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L 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 Bavaria Vision 46 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria Vision 46 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.