1981 Nautor Swan 36 vs 1998 Feeling 44 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Nautor Swan 36 | 1998 Feeling 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Feeling |
| Year | 1981–1989 | 1998–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 and 1998 Feeling 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 1998 Feeling 44 was designed by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios.
In terms of size, the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1998 Feeling 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 1998 Feeling 44 is 2.44m longer than the 1981 Nautor Swan 36. The 1998 Feeling 44 displaces approximately 65% 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 1998 Feeling 44, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1998 Feeling 44 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 1998 Feeling 44 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 and 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44, 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 1998 Feeling 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L 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 1998 Feeling 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 1998 Feeling 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: 1981 Nautor Swan 36 · 1998 Feeling 44