1988 Swan 38 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Oyster |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | United Kingdom |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 is 2.47m longer than the 1988 Swan 38. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 67% 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 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2004 Oyster 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 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 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 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L 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 2004 Oyster 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 2004 Oyster 46 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · 2004 Oyster 46