1971 Nautor Swan 65 vs 1996 MacGregor 65 — Comparison
1971 Nautor Swan 65
1996 MacGregor 65
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1971 Nautor Swan 65 | 1996 MacGregor 65 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | MacGregor |
| Year | 1971–1989 | 1996–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Roger MacGregor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 19.81 m (65.0 ft) | 19.81 m (65.0 ft) |
| LWL | 15.09 m (49.5 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 27,216 kg (60,001 lbs) | 15,876 kg (35,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 139.0 m² (1,496 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 120 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 750 L (198.1 gal) | 760 L (200.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 and 1996 MacGregor 65 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1996 MacGregor 65 is a 1990s offering from MacGregor from USA. The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 1996 MacGregor 65 was designed by Roger MacGregor.
In terms of size, the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 measures 19.81m (65.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.72m, compared to the 1996 MacGregor 65 at 19.81m (65.0ft) with a 5.18m beam. The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 displaces approximately 71% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.60 and 139.0 m² of sail area. The 1996 MacGregor 65, with an SA/D of 19.30 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1996 MacGregor 65 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.63). The 1996 MacGregor 65 has a comfort ratio of 9.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 and 34.3% for the 1996 MacGregor 65, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1971 Nautor Swan 65 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 750L of water capacity and 450L of fuel. The 1996 MacGregor 65 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 760L water and 380L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1971 Nautor Swan 65 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 1996 MacGregor 65 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.