Catalina 385 vs 1993 Nautor Swan 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 385 | 1993 Nautor Swan 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2006–2014 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 14.05 m (46.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 12,247 kg (27,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 242 L (63.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 385 and 1993 Nautor Swan 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 385 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is a 1990s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Catalina 385 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Catalina 385 measures 11.73m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 1993 Nautor Swan 46 at 14.05m (46.1ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 is 2.32m longer than the Catalina 385. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 385 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.29 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46, with an SA/D of 17.59 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 385 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the Catalina 385 and 40.7% for the 1993 Nautor Swan 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 385 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 220L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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 1993 Nautor Swan 46 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: Catalina 385 · 1993 Nautor Swan 46