1997 Nautor Swan 40 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Nautor Swan 40 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Dufour |
| Year | 1997–2002 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.5 m² (791 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is a 1990s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 was penned by German Frers. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 measures 12.30m (40.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.85m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 is 2.87m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The 1997 Nautor Swan 40 displaces approximately 105% 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 15.74 and 40.0 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1997 Nautor Swan 40 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 310 Grand Large 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 1997 Nautor Swan 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · Dufour 310 Grand Large