1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs Catalina 34 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | Catalina 34 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 1995–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and Catalina 34 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The Catalina 34 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the Catalina 34 MkII at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 1.94m longer than the Catalina 34 MkII. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 56% 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 Catalina 34 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.08 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Catalina 34 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII, 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 Catalina 34 MkII offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 34 MkII 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: 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: 1997 Nautor Swan 40 · Catalina 34 MkII