1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Ericson |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is 2.75m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 100% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.92 and 89.2 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 Ericson 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 227L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 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 1984 Ericson 38 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1977 Nautor Swan 47 · 1984 Ericson 38