2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
2008 Nautor Swan 45
Catalina 42 MkII
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Catalina |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and Catalina 42 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 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The Catalina 42 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 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 1.04m longer than the Catalina 42 MkII. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 10% 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 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 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 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 42 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 42 MkII offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.