The Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 vs Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 measures 115,6 feet overall (2015), giving it roughly 79,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 at 36,1 feet (1979). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 tips the scales at 243 831 lbs — 228 399 lbs more than the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 at 15 432 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 is rated for 35 passengers, while the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 displaces 243 831 lbs — a 228 399-lb difference over the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 at 15 432 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 draws 15,5 ft, compared to 6,1 ft for the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979. That 9,4-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 uses a 2 wheels versus a 1 wheel on the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones.
Hull speed is rated at 13,9 knots for the Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 and 7,3 knots for the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 carries 793 gallons versus 66 gallons on the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Nautor Swan Swan 115 FD Standard Standard 2015 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 243 831 lbs displacement and 116 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 at 15 432 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.