Design and Construction
Ron Holland drew the Swan 391 in the early eighties as a large sailboat of masthead sloop rig, and the Finnish yard OY Nautor AB laid her up in solid fiberglass for both hull and deck. The keel is a fin type carrying a lead bulb, with draft varying about 2.20 to 2.30 meters dependent on load — roughly 7.2 to 7.5 feet. Her IOR-derived profile shows wide decks and a wedge-shaped cabin top, a visual signature of the rule-influenced era. At a length-to-beam ratio of 3.21 and a ballast ratio of 36 percent, the 391 carries 6,800 pounds of lead in a 18,900-pound displacement, yielding a stiff, purposeful platform. The wetted surface runs about 45 square meters, and immersion comes in at roughly 256 kg per centimeter.
Rig and Handling
The Swan 391 is built with a masthead rig, and her sail area for mainsail plus jib is 72.8 square meters. With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 19.53 and a displacement-length ratio of 231, she is tuned for both acceleration and sustained passage speed; the theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 7.7 knots, while under engine she can reach 8.1 knots. Holland's hull has proven itself on race courses throughout the world, and the specific 1983 hull OxoMoxo took the Van Isle 360 in 2017 and later contested the 2018 Vic Maui, evidence of enduring competitive relevance. The capsize screening value of 1.88 and a Motion Comfort Ratio of 28.4 place her firmly in the capable cruiser-racer band.
Accommodations
Below, the Swan 391 is equipped with 8 berths, a galley, and a toilet facility, finished in teak like most production yachts of her generation. She is known for being comfortable cruisers, a trait borne out by the original owner of OxoMoxo — a cardiologist from Oregon — who sailed his boat in the San Juan and Gulf Islands for over 30 years. The 300-liter fresh water capacity and 180-liter stainless steel fuel tank support extended coastal and offshore use without constant replenishment.
Known Issues
One documented owner report describes a knockdown under spinnaker in 40 to 45 knots of breeze where the crew could not free the kite from the headstay and right the boat promptly. This is a handling caution for the masthead kite setup rather than a structural defect, but it bears weight for any buyer intending serious downwind work in strong air.
Refits and Ownership
The Swan 391 has been equipped with different engine alternatives, commonly an inboard Perkins 4.108 diesel at 40 horsepower or another Perkins diesel, both turned through a shaft drive. The original OxoMoxo was purchased through a Seattle broker and built to order, a reminder that many 391s entered service as semi-custom cruisers rather than spec boats. Doug Frazer's 1983 example shows the model's longevity in private hands across the Pacific Northwest.
The Verdict
The Swan 391 is a scarce, well-bred Ron Holland design that still wins races four decades on while serving as a teak-finished cruiser for extended family use. Her IOR heritage brings wide decks and a wedge cabin, and her lead-fin hull rewards confident seamanship more than careless spinnaker work.
Pros
- Ron Holland design with global race success and proven cruising comfort
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck by Nautor with lead fin keel
- 8 berths, galley, head, and 300 L water capacity for real cruising
- Spirited handling: 19.53 SA/D, 7.7-knot theoretical max, 8.1 under engine
Cons
- Masthead spinnaker setup can be difficult to recover in 40–45 knot knockdowns
- Only 52 built, so individual history and condition vary widely
