1988 Swan 38 vs Hunter 380 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Hunter 380
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Hunter 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Hunter |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2001–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Hunter 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Hunter 380 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Hunter 380 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Hunter 380 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Hunter 380 is 0.03m longer than the 1988 Swan 38. The 1988 Swan 38 displaces approximately 3% 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 Hunter 380, with an SA/D of 17.35 and 64.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 380 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 Hunter 380 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 37.5% for the Hunter 380, 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 Hunter 380 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L 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 Hunter 380 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 380 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 · Hunter 380