1979 Peterson 44 vs 1983 Nautor Swan 44 — Comparison
1979 Peterson 44
1983 Nautor Swan 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | 1983 Nautor Swan 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 1983–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and 1983 Nautor Swan 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 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 1983 Nautor Swan 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 displaces approximately 14% 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 1983 Nautor Swan 44, with an SA/D of 16.50 and 82.0 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 1983 Nautor Swan 44 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 40.0% for the 1983 Nautor Swan 44, 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 1983 Nautor Swan 44 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.