1969 Ericson 35 vs 1983 Nautor Swan 44 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1969 Ericson 35 | 1983 Nautor Swan 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1969–1976 | 1983–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Bruce King | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.6 m² (523 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1969 Ericson 35 and 1983 Nautor Swan 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1969 Ericson 35 is a classic design by Ericson from USA, while the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1969 Ericson 35 was penned by Bruce King. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the 1969 Ericson 35 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 is 2.74m longer than the 1969 Ericson 35. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 displaces approximately 108% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1969 Ericson 35 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.96 and 48.6 m² of sail area. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44, with an SA/D of 16.50 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1969 Ericson 35 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1969 Ericson 35 and 40.0% for the 1983 Nautor Swan 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1969 Ericson 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1969 Ericson 35 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 1983 Nautor Swan 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 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: 1969 Ericson 35 · 1983 Nautor Swan 44