In the United States, it was later marketed as the Palmer Johnson 43, distinguishing it from the unrelated, Holland-designed Swan 43 introduced in 1985.
Design and Construction
Stephens’ hand is unmistakable in the Swan 43’s profile. Its overhanging ends, short coachroof, low freeboard, pronounced sheer, and tumblehome established the classic Swan lines.
The solid-fibreglass monohull has wood trim, a fixed swept fin keel, and a small skeg-hung rudder typical of its era. It displaces roughly 19,850 lb, including 10,400 lb of lead ballast, and draws 7ft 3in. The waterline measures 31ft, while the beam is 11ft 7in.
Every boat was delivered with a distinctive keel-mounted trim tab. The unusual triple-wheel steering system includes a dedicated inner wheel for operating the tab, an outer wheel that controls the rudder, and a middle wheel that locks the tab in place.
A watertight bulkhead separates the forepeak from the anchor locker, a detail that reflects the boat’s racing origins.
Rig and Handling
The Swan 43 has a masthead sloop rig with a Bermuda configuration. Its PHRF handicap ranges from 96 to 114.
The three-wheel helm lets the driver steer, adjust the trim tab, or lock it in position. This gives fine control over helm balance that was ahead of its time.
The restoration of hull 004, Runn, shows how the rig can be modernised without losing its character. A 135 per cent overlapping genoa on a roller furler replaced the self-tacking jib, while a new inner forestay carries a Number 4 jib for breezy conditions. The original mast now carries a fully battened mainsail with a stack-pack.
Downwind, a large running spinnaker with slightly narrowed shoulders helps reduce rolling. An asymmetric spinnaker in a snuffer flies from a bowsprit that slots through the bow roller in minutes.
Accommodation
Writing in Yachting World, the reviewer noted that, by modern standards, the Swan 43’s accommodation is limited. Even so, the defined layout provides eight berths.
A double V-berth fills the forward cabin, with the head immediately aft to port. The main cabin has two straight settee berths and two pilot berths, while the aft cabin provides two single berths.
The L-shaped galley is to starboard, just forward of the companionway ladder, and includes a three-burner stove, ice box, and sink. The navigation station is opposite, to port. The compact interior reflects the Swan 43’s cruiser-racer brief rather than the priorities of a pure family cruiser.
Known Issues
The most serious documented incident involved Runn, hull number 004, which suffered a steering failure halfway across the Atlantic in 1969. Her original owner, Finnish racing legend Michael Berner, used the trim tab’s second quadrant to jury-rig a workaround and bring the boat home.
The episode highlights the vulnerability of the period skeg-mounted rudder and its associated three-wheel steering gear. However, Runn’s hull was later found to be structurally sound and free from osmosis.
Refits and Ownership
Long-term ownership of a Swan 43 often involves measured modernisation. On Runn, the teak decks and engine had been replaced four years before her restoration. The bow was also modified to accept a custom double anchor roller, which doubles as a mount for the asymmetric-spinnaker bowsprit.
These targeted upgrades preserve the S&S character while extending the boat’s service life. With only 67 examples completed, each hull also has an individual history worth tracing.
The Verdict
The Swan 43 is an early Swan for the purist: a Stephens-designed racer-cruiser with timeless lines, a clever trim-tab helm, and a robust solid-glass hull. Its limited interior and period rudder geometry are the trade-offs for that pedigree, but well-kept examples give their owners a direct link to Nautor’s founding era.
Pros
- Classic Olin Stephens profile, with overhanging ends, pronounced sheer, and tumblehome
- Keel-mounted trim tab with dedicated helm control for balancing the steering
- Solid-fibreglass hull found structurally sound and free from osmosis on a documented restoration
- Versatile modernised rig options, including an inner forestay and an asymmetric spinnaker in a snuffer
Cons
- Accommodation is limited by modern standards, despite providing eight berths in a 43ft hull
- Period skeg-hung rudder and steering gear have proved susceptible to mid-ocean failure
- Small production run limits choice and calls for careful scrutiny of each boat’s individual history
