1984 Nautor Swan 57 vs 1996 MacGregor 65 — Comparison
1996 MacGregor 65
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Nautor Swan 57 | 1996 MacGregor 65 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | MacGregor |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 1996–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Roger MacGregor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.37 m (57.0 ft) | 19.81 m (65.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 23,587 kg (52,000 lbs) | 15,876 kg (35,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 130.0 m² (1,399 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 760 L (200.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 1996 MacGregor 65 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1996 MacGregor 65 is a 1990s offering from MacGregor from USA. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 was penned by German Frers. The 1996 MacGregor 65 was designed by Roger MacGregor.
In terms of size, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 measures 17.37m (57.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.57m, compared to the 1996 MacGregor 65 at 19.81m (65.0ft) with a 5.18m beam. The 1996 MacGregor 65 is 2.44m longer than the 1984 Nautor Swan 57. The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 displaces approximately 49% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.05 and 130.0 m² of sail area. The 1996 MacGregor 65, with an SA/D of 19.30 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1996 MacGregor 65 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.64). The 1996 MacGregor 65 has a comfort ratio of 9.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 and 34.3% for the 1996 MacGregor 65, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 Nautor Swan 57 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The 1996 MacGregor 65 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 760L water and 380L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Nautor Swan 57 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 1996 MacGregor 65 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: 1984 Nautor Swan 57 · 1996 MacGregor 65