1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs Catalina 390 — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 40
Catalina 390
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | Catalina 390 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 1997–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 265 L (70.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and Catalina 390 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Catalina 390 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The Catalina 390 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 390 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 0.41m longer than the Catalina 390. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 3% 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 390, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.5 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 Catalina 390 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 39.6% for the Catalina 390, 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 390 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 390 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 Catalina 390 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.