Catalina 445 vs 1983 Nautor Swan 44 — Comparison
Catalina 445
1983 Nautor Swan 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 445 | 1983 Nautor Swan 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2016 | 1983–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.56 m (44.5 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 84.0 m² (904 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 445 and 1983 Nautor Swan 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 445 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 445 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens.
In terms of size, the Catalina 445 measures 13.56m (44.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.17m, compared to the 1983 Nautor Swan 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The Catalina 445 is 0.15m longer than the 1983 Nautor Swan 44.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 445 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.91 and 84.0 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 445 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 445 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1983 Nautor Swan 44 has a comfort ratio of 22.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 38.0% for the Catalina 445 and 40.0% for the 1983 Nautor Swan 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 445 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 445 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.