1979 Peterson 44 vs 1981 Nautor Swan 36 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | 1981 Nautor Swan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 1981–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and 1981 Nautor Swan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 2.44m longer than the 1981 Nautor Swan 36. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 57% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36, with an SA/D of 16.15 and 54.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1979 Peterson 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 42.9% for the 1981 Nautor Swan 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 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 1979 Peterson 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Peterson 44 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1979 Peterson 44 · 1981 Nautor Swan 36