Hunter 356 vs 1981 Nautor Swan 36 — Comparison
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 356 | 1981 Nautor Swan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2000–2005 | 1981–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 356 and 1981 Nautor Swan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 356 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Hunter 356 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the Hunter 356 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.53m, compared to the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is 0.15m longer than the Hunter 356. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 356 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36, with an SA/D of 16.15 and 54.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 356 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 356 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the Hunter 356 and 42.9% for the 1981 Nautor Swan 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 356 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 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 Hunter 356 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: Hunter 356 · 1981 Nautor Swan 36