2001 Nautor Swan 42 vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2001 Nautor Swan 42 | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Dufour |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 was penned by German Frers. The Dufour 40 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 2001 Nautor Swan 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the Dufour 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 is 0.75m longer than the Dufour 40. The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 displaces approximately 19% 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 Dufour 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Dufour 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 2001 Nautor Swan 42 and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, 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 Dufour 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2001 Nautor Swan 42 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 Dufour 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: 2001 Nautor Swan 42 · Dufour 40