BoatsSwan 44 (Frers)

Swan 44 (Frers)

Masthead Sloop · Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder · 1988–1994

A German Frers-designed masthead sloop built for performance, distinct from the earlier Sparkman & Stephens model

Designed by German Frers, built by Nautor.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 31 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 31
CoastalBluewater

1.89 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.89
LightHeavy

265 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 265
EasygoingPowered-up

16.9 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 16.9
TenderStiff

31% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 31%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

  • Heavier than ~77% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~95% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~77% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2461 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
31.4%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
16.9
Displacement / length
264.5
Comfort ratio
31.1
Capsize screening
1.89
Hull speed
7.9 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1689
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1988–1994
Units built
19
Designer
German Frers
Builder
Nautor

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Lafitte Yachts 4413.51 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Robert Perry-designed cutter with a skeg-hung rudder, built for high-quality offshore cruising
Beneteau Idylle 135013.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA German Frers-designed masthead sloop with a skeg-mounted rudder, also produced as the Moorings 43 for charter service
Hylas 4413.46 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 13-metre cruiser featuring a skeg-hung rudder and a substantial 49% ballast ratio for offshore stability
Jeanneau Sun Magic 4413.34 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-volume charter veteran also marketed as the Atlantic 44, built for stable cruising with a 2.12-metre fin keel
Westerly Marine Ltd. Ocean 4313.26 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA Ron Holland-designed masthead sloop built for offshore comfort with a stable, skeg-mounted rudder configuration
Hunter Marine 450 Passage13.49 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 45-foot cruiser with a bulb-fin keel and spade rudder, engineered for stable, comfortable offshore passage-making

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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