1988 Swan 38 vs 1986 Westerly Oceanlord — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | 1986 Westerly Oceanlord |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Westerly |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 1986–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | UK |
| Designer | German Frers | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 9,980 kg (22,002 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 182 L (48.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and 1986 Westerly Oceanlord represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is 0.49m longer than the 1988 Swan 38. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord displaces approximately 33% 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 36.4% for the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 182L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 · 1986 Westerly Oceanlord