2001 Nautor Swan 42 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
2001 Nautor Swan 42
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2001 Nautor Swan 42 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Westerly |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | UK |
| Designer | German Frers | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 was penned by German Frers. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 2001 Nautor Swan 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 is 1.80m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 displaces approximately 46% 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 1988 Westerly Corsair, with an SA/D of 14.81 and 50.0 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 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 2001 Nautor Swan 42 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, 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 1988 Westerly Corsair offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Westerly Corsair 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: The 1988 Westerly Corsair offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.