Design and Construction
The hull is fiberglass-reinforced plastic with longitudinal stringers and transverse frames for stiffness, while the deck is FRP with a balsa core for insulation and rigidity. Below the waterline, a fixed lead fin keel bolted to the hull with stainless steel bolts provides the stability and performance baseline, drawing 6 feet 8 inches and carrying that 7,900-pound ballast at a ballast-displacement ratio of about 42 percent. Steering runs through a skeg-mounted FRP rudder on a stainless steel stock, linked to the wheel by cables and pulleys. An optional retractable centerboard version shortened the fin and added a steel board operated by a cockpit winch, cutting raised draft to 4 feet and extending lowered draft to 8 feet — a meaningful shoal-water alternative within the same hull.
Rig and Handling
The Swan 40 is a masthead sloop with a Bermuda rig: a keel-stepped aluminum mast with two spreader sets, a jumper strut, internal halyards, and a spinnaker pole track, carrying a total sail area of 708 square feet under a 320-square-foot mainsail and 388-square-foot genoa. An optional tall mast pushed area to 765 square feet. The boom is aluminum with slab reefing, outhaul, topping lift, and vang; wire rigging uses swaged terminals and turnbuckles, the forestay carries roller furling for the genoa, and the backstay has an adjustable tensioner for mast-bend tuning. Cockpit setup places two self-tailing genoa winches, two halyard/reefing winches, and a cabin-top mainsheet traveler within reach of single-wheel steering. The standard sail inventory runs to mainsail, genoa, spinnaker, storm jib, and trysail in dacron or nylon.
Accommodations
Below, the boat sleeps six across three cabins. The forward cabin holds a double V-berth with lockers and shelves to both sides; the main cabin has two straight settee berths with storage beneath and behind, plus a folding table; the aft cabin splits two singles around a hanging locker and shelf. The L-shaped galley sits at the companionway foot to starboard with a three-burner stove and oven, ice box, and double pressurized sink, while opposite to port the navigation station pairs a large chart table with drawers, instrument panel, radio, and electrical panel. The head just aft of the forward cabin on port offers marine toilet, hot and cold sink, shower, and lockers. Teak joinery with white cushions and curtains finishes the interior.
Deck and Cockpit Equipment
Wide side decks, teak handrails, stainless stanchions and lifelines, and an aluminum toe rail define the perimeter, while the reverse transom, coaming, and dodger shield a spacious cockpit with pedestal, compass, binnacle, and engine controls. Forward, a large anchor locker with windlass and bow roller joins two dorade vents, two hatches, and four mooring cleats; aft, a lazarette, stern pulpit with boarding ladder, and two cleats complete the circuit. The Volvo Penta MD2B 25-horsepower diesel drives a two-blade propeller, supported by 40-gallon fuel and 48-gallon water tanks.
The Verdict
The classic S&S Swan 40 is a compact, well-built cruiser-racer whose finite production and early-Frers distinction give it a clear identity. Its construction is straightforward FRP with sensible framing, the rig is complete and tuneable, and the accommodations are practical for six without feeling crowded. The centerboard option broadens its reach, though the standard fin's 6-foot-8-inch draft demands care in shoal anchorages.
Pros
- Lead fin keel with 42-percent ballast ratio on a framed FRP hull
- Full three-cabin layout for six with dedicated nav station and L-galley
- Optional centerboard version for reduced draft
- Complete sail inventory including storm jib and trysail
Cons
- Standard 6-foot-8-inch draft limits shallow-water access
- Two-blade fixed propeller on a modest 25 hp diesel
- Only 51 built, so examples are infrequent
