The Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 vs Nautor Swan Swan 60 S 2009 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 60 S 2009 measures 61,1 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 25,0 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 60 S 2009 tips the scales at 52 250 lbs — 36 818 lbs less 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.
The Nautor Swan Swan 60 S 2009 tops out at 110 hp. Engine specs for the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nautor Swan Swan 60 S 2009 is rated for 18 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 60 S 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Nautor Swan Swan 60 S 2009 displaces 52 250 lbs — a 36 818-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 60 S 2009 draws 9,1 ft, compared to 6,1 ft for the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979. That 3,0-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 371 1979 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979 uses a 1 wheel versus a 2 wheels on the Nautor Swan Swan 60 S 2009. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The Nautor Swan Swan 60 S 2009 has a documented auxiliary engine of 110 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 10,1 knots for the Nautor Swan Swan 60 S 2009 and 7,3 knots for the Nautor Swan Swan 371 1979. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Nautor Swan Swan 60 S 2009 carries 132 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 60 S 2009 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 52 250 lbs displacement and 61 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.