1988 Swan 38 vs 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2005–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 13,000 kg (28,660 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 5,000 kg (11,023 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 is a 2000s offering from Wauquiez from France. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 at 14.33m (47.0ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 is 2.78m longer than the 1988 Swan 38. The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 displaces approximately 74% 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 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47, with an SA/D of 17.45 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 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 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 38.5% for the 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47, 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 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 300L 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 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47 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 · 2005 Wauquiez Centurion 47