1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Ericson |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 0.72m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 14% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.93 and 73.5 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 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 1997 Nautor Swan 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 1984 Ericson 38 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: 1997 Nautor Swan 40 · 1984 Ericson 38