Beneteau First 40 vs 1981 Nautor Swan 36 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 1981 Nautor Swan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 1981–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 1981 Nautor Swan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1981 Nautor Swan 36 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 1981 Nautor Swan 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 1.19m longer than the 1981 Nautor Swan 36. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 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 Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) 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 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 42.9% for the 1981 Nautor Swan 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L 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 Beneteau First 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 Beneteau First 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: Beneteau First 40 · 1981 Nautor Swan 36