1988 Swan 38 vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Finland |
| Designer | German Frers | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 2.50m longer than the 1988 Swan 38. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 64% 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46, with an SA/D of 17.59 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 220L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Swan 38 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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 · 1993 Nautor Swan 46