The Nautor Swan Swan 42 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1980 vs Nautor Swan Swan 42 Standard Standard 1980 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Nautor Swan Swan 42 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1980 at 42,0 ft versus Nautor Swan Swan 42 Standard Standard 1980 at 42,0 ft. At 20 944 lbs and 20 944 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 40 hp for the Nautor Swan Swan 42 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1980 and 40 hp for the Nautor Swan Swan 42 Standard Standard 1980. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 42 gal and 42 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Both boats are rated for 12 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 20 944 lbs for the Nautor Swan Swan 42 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1980 and 20 944 lbs for the Nautor Swan Swan 42 Standard Standard 1980. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Nautor Swan Swan 42 Standard Standard 1980 draws 7,1 ft, compared to 5,1 ft for the Nautor Swan Swan 42 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1980. That 2,0-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 42 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1980 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 7,8 knots for the Nautor Swan Swan 42 Standard Standard 1980 and 7,8 knots for the Nautor Swan Swan 42 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1980.
Bottom line: The Nautor Swan Swan 42 Shoal draft Shoal draft 1980 and Nautor Swan Swan 42 Standard Standard 1980 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.