2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs Catalina 36 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | Catalina 36 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 1999–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and Catalina 36 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The Catalina 36 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the Catalina 36 MkII at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.55m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 2.87m longer than the Catalina 36 MkII. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 59% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.21 and 95.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 36 MkII, with an SA/D of 16.35 and 56.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Catalina 36 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 provides 6 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The Catalina 36 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 36 MkII 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 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 36 MkII 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: 2008 Nautor Swan 45 · Catalina 36 MkII