Catalina 440 vs 1983 Nautor Swan 44 — Comparison
Catalina 440
1983 Nautor Swan 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 440 | 1983 Nautor Swan 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1983–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.14 m (13.6 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 379 L (100.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 440 and 1983 Nautor Swan 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 440 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 is a 1980s offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Catalina 440 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the Catalina 440 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.14m, compared to the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 440 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.96 and 82.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44, with an SA/D of 16.50 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 440 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 440 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 440 and 40.0% for the 1983 Nautor Swan 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 440 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L of water capacity and 189L of fuel. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 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 Catalina 440 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.