2001 Nautor Swan 42 vs 1977 Cal 33 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2001 Nautor Swan 42 | 1977 Cal 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Cal |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1977–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 and 1977 Cal 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 was penned by German Frers. The 1977 Cal 33 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 2001 Nautor Swan 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1977 Cal 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 is 2.74m longer than the 1977 Cal 33. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 displaces approximately 78% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2001 Nautor Swan 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.84 and 82.0 m² of sail area. The 1977 Cal 33, with an SA/D of 14.53 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2001 Nautor Swan 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1977 Cal 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 2001 Nautor Swan 42 and 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2001 Nautor Swan 42 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 160L of fuel. The 1977 Cal 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cal 33 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 2001 Nautor Swan 42 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: 2001 Nautor Swan 42 · 1977 Cal 33