1981 Nautor Swan 36 vs 2009 Nautor Swan 60 — Comparison
1981 Nautor Swan 36
2009 Nautor Swan 60
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Nautor Swan 36 | 2009 Nautor Swan 60 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1981–1989 | 2009–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Finland |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 18.30 m (60.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 15.60 m (51.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.80 m (15.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.80 m (9.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 23,000 kg (50,706 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 145.0 m² (1,561 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 800 L (211.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 and 2009 Nautor Swan 60 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2009 Nautor Swan 60 is a 2000s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 2009 Nautor Swan 60 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 2009 Nautor Swan 60 at 18.30m (60.0ft) with a 4.80m beam. The 2009 Nautor Swan 60 is 7.33m longer than the 1981 Nautor Swan 36. The 2009 Nautor Swan 60 displaces approximately 262% 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 2009 Nautor Swan 60, with an SA/D of 18.21 and 145.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2009 Nautor Swan 60 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 2009 Nautor Swan 60 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 and 37.0% for the 2009 Nautor Swan 60, 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 2009 Nautor Swan 60 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 800L water and 500L 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 2009 Nautor Swan 60 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2009 Nautor Swan 60 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.