1977 Nautor Swan 47 vs Catalina 440 — Comparison
1977 Nautor Swan 47
Catalina 440
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Nautor Swan 47 | Catalina 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 1977–1985 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.14 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 89.2 m² (960 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 379 L (100.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and Catalina 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is a 1970s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Catalina 440 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The Catalina 440 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 440 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.14m beam. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 is 0.92m longer than the Catalina 440. The 1977 Nautor Swan 47 displaces approximately 38% 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 440, with an SA/D of 16.96 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 440 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 440 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1977 Nautor Swan 47 and 37.5% for the Catalina 440, 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 440 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L water and 189L 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 440 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.