Dufour 36 Classic vs 1981 Nautor Swan 36 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 1981 Nautor Swan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 1981–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 1981 Nautor Swan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is 0.07m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 36 Classic has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of sail area. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36, with an SA/D of 16.15 and 54.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 36 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 36 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 42.9% for the 1981 Nautor Swan 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 36 Classic provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 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 36 Classic 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: Dufour 36 Classic · 1981 Nautor Swan 36