1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
1997 Nautor Swan 40
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Elan |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Slovenia |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The 2014 Elan 400 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 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 0.23m longer than the 2014 Elan 400. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 4% 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 2014 Elan 400, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2014 Elan 400 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 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, 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 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L 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 2014 Elan 400 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2014 Elan 400 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.