Bavaria C42 vs 1981 Nautor Swan 36 — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria C42 | 1981 Nautor Swan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2018 | 1981–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Finland |
| Designer | cossutti yacht design | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 45 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria C42 and 1981 Nautor Swan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria C42 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Bavaria C42 was penned by cossutti yacht design. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the Bavaria C42 measures 12.88m (42.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 1.91m longer than the 1981 Nautor Swan 36. The Bavaria C42 displaces approximately 40% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria C42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36, with an SA/D of 16.15 and 54.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria C42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria C42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria C42 and 42.9% for the 1981 Nautor Swan 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria C42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 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 C42 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 C42 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 C42 · 1981 Nautor Swan 36