1975 Westsail 32 vs 1985 Valiant 37 — Comparison
1975 Westsail 32
1985 Valiant 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Westsail 32 | 1985 Valiant 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Valiant |
| Year | 1975–1985 | 1985–1995 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.2 m² (530 ft²) | 60.5 m² (651 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 265 L (70.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Westsail 32 and 1985 Valiant 37 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1975 Westsail 32 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1985 Valiant 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1975 Westsail 32 was penned by William Crealock. The 1985 Valiant 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1975 Westsail 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1985 Valiant 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1985 Valiant 37 is 1.53m longer than the 1975 Westsail 32. The 1975 Westsail 32 displaces approximately 6% 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 1985 Valiant 37, with an SA/D of 15.75 and 60.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Valiant 37 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 1985 Valiant 37 has a comfort ratio of 23.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1975 Westsail 32 and 41.2% for the 1985 Valiant 37, 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 1985 Valiant 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 265L water and 151L 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 1985 Valiant 37 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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Or view individual specs: 1975 Westsail 32 · 1985 Valiant 37