1965 Pearson Vanguard vs 1984 Cape Dory 33 — Comparison
1965 Pearson Vanguard
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Pearson Vanguard | 1984 Cape Dory 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Philip Rhodes | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.83 m (32.3 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.45 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 1984 Cape Dory 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the 1984 Cape Dory 33 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard was penned by Philip Rhodes. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard measures 9.83m (32.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the 1984 Cape Dory 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.12m beam. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 is 0.23m longer than the 1965 Pearson Vanguard. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.32 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Cape Dory 33, with an SA/D of 15.31 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1984 Cape Dory 33 has a comfort ratio of 23.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 43.6% for the 1984 Cape Dory 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1984 Cape Dory 33 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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