1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs Catalina 385 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | Catalina 385 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 242 L (63.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and Catalina 385 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Catalina 385 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The Catalina 385 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the Catalina 385 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is 2.60m longer than the Catalina 385. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 83% 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 Catalina 385, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 385 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 Catalina 385 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 38.9% for the Catalina 385, 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 Catalina 385 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L 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 Catalina 385 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 · Catalina 385