Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 vs 2003 Nautor Swan 50 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
2003 Nautor Swan 50
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 | 2003 Nautor Swan 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2018 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.55 m (8.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 5,700 kg (12,566 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 108.0 m² (1,163 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 420 L (111.0 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and 2003 Nautor Swan 50 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is a 2000s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 measures 14.60m (47.9ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the 2003 Nautor Swan 50 at 15.24m (50.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 is 0.64m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.10 and 93.0 m² of sail area. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50, with an SA/D of 18.45 and 108.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and 39.3% for the 2003 Nautor Swan 50, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Nautor Swan 50 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.