1993 Nautor Swan 46 vs 1987 Cape Dory 40 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 | 1987 Cape Dory 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1993–2001 | 1987–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 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) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 and 1987 Cape Dory 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was penned by German Frers. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 measures 14.05m (46.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 1987 Cape Dory 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 1.86m longer than the 1987 Cape Dory 40. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 42% 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 1987 Cape Dory 40, with an SA/D of 15.59 and 64.5 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 1987 Cape Dory 40 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 and 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40, 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 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Cape Dory 40 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 · 1987 Cape Dory 40