1993 Nautor Swan 46 vs 1985 Irwin 38 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 | 1985 Irwin 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Irwin |
| Year | 1993–2001 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 and 1985 Irwin 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1985 Irwin 38 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was penned by German Frers. The 1985 Irwin 38 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 measures 14.05m (46.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 1985 Irwin 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 2.47m longer than the 1985 Irwin 38. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 64% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.59 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Irwin 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1985 Irwin 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 and 42.4% for the 1985 Irwin 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 220L of fuel. The 1985 Irwin 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Irwin 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1993 Nautor Swan 46 · 1985 Irwin 38