1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs 1987 Cape Dory 40 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | 1987 Cape Dory 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 1987–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 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) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 1987 Cape Dory 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 1987 Cape Dory 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is 2.14m longer than the 1987 Cape Dory 40. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 74% 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 1987 Cape Dory 40, with an SA/D of 15.59 and 64.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 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 1987 Cape Dory 40 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40, 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 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L water and 151L 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 1987 Cape Dory 40 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 · 1987 Cape Dory 40