1965 Pearson Vanguard vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
1965 Pearson Vanguard
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Pearson Vanguard | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Westerly |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Philip Rhodes | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.83 m (32.3 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard was penned by Philip Rhodes. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard measures 9.83m (32.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk is 0.53m longer than the 1965 Pearson Vanguard. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 50% 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L water and 114L 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1965 Pearson Vanguard · 1991 Westerly Seahawk