1972 Islander 24 vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
1972 Islander 24
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Islander 24 | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Westerly |
| Year | 1972–1977 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.36 m (7.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 635 kg (1,400 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 23.5 m² (253 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Islander 24 and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Islander 24 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1972 Islander 24 was penned by Alan Gurney. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1972 Islander 24 measures 7.32m (24.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.36m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 2.43m longer than the 1972 Islander 24. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 214% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Islander 24 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 23.5 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar, with an SA/D of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1972 Islander 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Islander 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1972 Islander 24 and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Islander 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 1972 Islander 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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: 1972 Islander 24 · 1979 Westerly Fulmar