1967 Columbia 43 vs 1981 Nautor Swan 36 — Comparison
1967 Columbia 43
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1967 Columbia 43 | 1981 Nautor Swan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1967–1973 | 1981–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | William Tripp | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.11 m (43.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 71.0 m² (764 ft²) | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1967 Columbia 43 and 1981 Nautor Swan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1967 Columbia 43 is a classic design by Columbia from USA, while the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1967 Columbia 43 was penned by William Tripp. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the 1967 Columbia 43 measures 13.11m (43.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1967 Columbia 43 is 2.14m longer than the 1981 Nautor Swan 36. The 1967 Columbia 43 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1967 Columbia 43 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.05 and 71.0 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 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1967 Columbia 43 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1967 Columbia 43 and 42.9% for the 1981 Nautor Swan 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1967 Columbia 43 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1967 Columbia 43 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 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1967 Columbia 43 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: 1967 Columbia 43 · 1981 Nautor Swan 36