1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs Beneteau First 33.7 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | Beneteau First 33.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Beneteau |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and Beneteau First 33.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The Beneteau First 33.7 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the Beneteau First 33.7 at 10.04m (32.9ft) with a 3.32m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 2.26m longer than the Beneteau First 33.7. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 81% 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 Beneteau First 33.7, with an SA/D of 19.92 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 33.7 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7, 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 Beneteau First 33.7 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 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 Beneteau First 33.7 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 · Beneteau First 33.7