1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs 1997 Tartan 3700 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | 1997 Tartan 3700 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Tartan |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 1997–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 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) | 7,031 kg (15,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 1997 Tartan 3700 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1997 Tartan 3700 is a 1990s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The 1997 Tartan 3700 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the 1997 Tartan 3700 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 1.02m longer than the 1997 Tartan 3700. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 21% 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 1997 Tartan 3700, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 62.0 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 1997 Tartan 3700 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 41.9% for the 1997 Tartan 3700, 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 1997 Tartan 3700 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 220L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Tartan 3700 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1997 Nautor Swan 40 · 1997 Tartan 3700