1981 Nautor Swan 36 vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Nautor Swan 36 | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1981–1989 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is 2.74m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 displaces approximately 133% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.15 and 54.5 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 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: 1981 Nautor Swan 36 · 1978 Cape Dory 270