1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Elan |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Slovenia |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 1.63m longer than the 2013 Elan 350. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 39% 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 2013 Elan 350, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 58.0 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 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, 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 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2013 Elan 350 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 · 2013 Elan 350