1988 Swan 38 vs Dufour 470 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Dufour 470
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Dufour 470 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Dufour |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 440 L (116.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 10 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Dufour 470 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Dufour 470 is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Dufour 470 was designed by Felci 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 Dufour 470 at 14.23m (46.7ft) with a 4.39m beam. The Dufour 470 is 2.68m longer than the 1988 Swan 38. The Dufour 470 displaces approximately 50% 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 Dufour 470, with an SA/D of 19.07 and 94.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 470 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 Dufour 470 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 31.3% for the Dufour 470, 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 Dufour 470 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L water and 220L 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 Dufour 470 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 470 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 · Dufour 470