1983 Nautor Swan 44 vs 2006 Tartan 4400 — Comparison
1983 Nautor Swan 44
2006 Tartan 4400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1983 Nautor Swan 44 | 2006 Tartan 4400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Tartan |
| Year | 1983–1991 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.11 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.23 m (7.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 416 L (109.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 and 2006 Tartan 4400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2006 Tartan 4400 is a 2000s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 2006 Tartan 4400 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2006 Tartan 4400 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.11m beam.
Looking at performance, the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.50 and 82.0 m² of sail area. The 2006 Tartan 4400, with an SA/D of 17.71 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2006 Tartan 4400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2006 Tartan 4400 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 and 40.0% for the 2006 Tartan 4400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2006 Tartan 4400 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 416L water and 230L 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 2006 Tartan 4400 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2006 Tartan 4400 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.