1988 Swan 38 vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Catalina 42 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Catalina 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 1.25m longer than the 1988 Swan 38. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 27% 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 Catalina 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 42 MkII 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 Catalina 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, 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 Catalina 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L 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 Catalina 42 MkII has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 42 MkII 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 · Catalina 42 MkII