1975 Westsail 32 vs 1978 Westsail 42 — Comparison
1975 Westsail 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Westsail 32 | 1978 Westsail 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Westsail |
| Year | 1975–1985 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.2 m² (530 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Westsail 32 and 1978 Westsail 42 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1975 Westsail 32 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1978 Westsail 42 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1975 Westsail 32 was penned by William Crealock. The 1978 Westsail 42 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1975 Westsail 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1978 Westsail 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1978 Westsail 42 is 3.05m longer than the 1975 Westsail 32. The 1978 Westsail 42 displaces approximately 61% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Westsail 32 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.33 and 49.2 m² of sail area. The 1978 Westsail 42, with an SA/D of 13.12 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1978 Westsail 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Westsail 32 offers a comfortable motion suitable for extended cruising (comfort ratio: 33.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.65). The 1978 Westsail 42 has a comfort ratio of 27.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.65. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1975 Westsail 32 and 41.4% for the 1978 Westsail 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Westsail 32 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1978 Westsail 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L water and 227L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Westsail 32 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 1978 Westsail 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1978 Westsail 42 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: 1975 Westsail 32 · 1978 Westsail 42