Swan 391 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Swan 391 means chasing a limited-production Ron Holland racer-cruiser built between 1981 and 1987, with just 52 hulls afloat. These are solid fiberglass Nautor yachts with lead fin keels, teak interiors, and a masthead rig — a niche buy for someone who wants race pedigree without a grand-prix maintenance bill.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Swan 391 carries the same essential plan: a masthead sloop of about 40 feet with 8 berths, a galley, and a head, finished in teak. The hull is solid fiberglass with a lead fin drawing roughly 7.2 to 7.5 feet dependent on load, and the wedge-shaped cabin top from her IOR lineage gives her wide side decks. Fresh water is 300 liters and the stainless steel fuel tank holds 180 liters, so the interior footprint and tankage are consistent across the class — what changes boat to boat is equipment and care.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, Swan 391s commonly carry a bow thruster, autopilot, radar, chartplotter, and heating — all worthwhile for shorthanded docking and cold-climate cruising. A gennaker is a common addition for lighter-air performance without the handling risk of a full masthead kite, and teak decks are frequently found, though they demand upkeep. Buyers should view these as expected conveniences rather than rare refits.
What to Inspect
A reported knockdown under spinnaker in 40 to 45 knots left the headstay fouled by the kite and the crew unable to get the boat upright quickly. Inspect the headstay, spinnaker gear, and any aftermarket bow thruster penetration for stress. Beyond that, verify the Perkins diesel (commonly the 4.108 at 40 hp) and shaft drive, and check the solid fiberglass hull and deck for earlier repairs.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the Swan 391 are the United States, Finland, and Jamaica. For a buyer, the checklist is short: confirm the lead fin and solid glass hull, review the Perkins installation and shaft drive, inspect spinnaker and headstay gear after the reported knockdown, and budget for teak deck maintenance if fitted. A well-kept example rewards with race-proven Holland performance and genuine cruising space.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Swan 391. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25 | 1 | $89,000 | — |
| Apr 25 | 1 | $63,875 | -28.2% |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $74,365 | +16.4% |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $89,000 | +19.7% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $111,867 | +25.7% |
| May 26 | 1 | $111,867 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Swan 391 listings appear across 2 countries. Finland has the most listings with 2 (66.7%), followed by United States.
Country view
3 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finland | $111,867 | 2 | 0 | 66.7% |
| United States | $89,000 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
7 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elan 431 | 42.58' | $ 56,968 | 20 | 7 |
| ScanYacht 391 | 39.11' | $ 106,190 | 12 | 6 |
| Baltic 39 | 38.76' | $ 75,938 | 9 | 0 |
| Tartan 41 | 40.63' | $ 61,450 | 8 | 3 |
| Swan 39 | 39.3' | $ 104,806 | 7 | 0 |
| Sweden Yachts 41 | 41' | $ 68,834 | 7 | 2 |
| Swan 391You are here | — | $ 111,793 | 3 | 0 |