1988 Swan 38 vs Beneteau First 40 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Beneteau First 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Beneteau |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2006–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Beneteau First 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Beneteau First 40 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Beneteau First 40 at 12.16m (39.9ft) with a 3.80m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 0.61m longer than the 1988 Swan 38. The 1988 Swan 38 displaces approximately 7% 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 Beneteau First 40, with an SA/D of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 40 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 Beneteau First 40 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40, 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 Beneteau First 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L water and 150L 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 Beneteau First 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 40 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 · Beneteau First 40