1988 Swan 38 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 21 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 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Catalina 323 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 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1988 Swan 38 is 1.80m longer than the Catalina 323. The 1988 Swan 38 displaces approximately 57% 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 323, with an SA/D of 16.51 and 46.0 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 Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, 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 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L 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 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Swan 38 · Catalina 323