1988 Swan 38 vs 1984 Cape Dory 33 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | 1984 Cape Dory 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.45 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and 1984 Cape Dory 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1984 Cape Dory 33 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 1984 Cape Dory 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.12m beam. The 1988 Swan 38 is 1.49m longer than the 1984 Cape Dory 33. The 1988 Swan 38 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Swan 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 63.2 m² of sail area. The 1984 Cape Dory 33, with an SA/D of 15.31 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Swan 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Swan 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 1984 Cape Dory 33 has a comfort ratio of 23.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 43.6% for the 1984 Cape Dory 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Swan 38 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Cape Dory 33 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 1988 Swan 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Swan 38 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: 1988 Swan 38 · 1984 Cape Dory 33