1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs 1987 C&C 44 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
1987 C&C 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | 1987 C&C 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 1987–1993 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Canada |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 1987 C&C 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1987 C&C 44 is a 1980s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 1987 C&C 44 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
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 C&C 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is 0.92m longer than the 1987 C&C 44. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 43% 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 C&C 44, with an SA/D of 17.02 and 80.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1987 C&C 44 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 C&C 44 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 41.3% for the 1987 C&C 44, 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 C&C 44 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 170L 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 C&C 44 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.