Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2017 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 2.55m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 71% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) 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 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L 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 1993 Nautor Swan 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · 1993 Nautor Swan 46