1975 Westsail 32 vs 1990 Valiant 39 — Comparison
1975 Westsail 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Westsail 32 | 1990 Valiant 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Valiant |
| Year | 1975–1985 | 1990–2000 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,447 kg (7,599 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.2 m² (530 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Westsail 32 and 1990 Valiant 39 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1975 Westsail 32 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1990 Valiant 39 is a 1990s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1975 Westsail 32 was penned by William Crealock. The 1990 Valiant 39 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 1990 Valiant 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1990 Valiant 39 is 2.14m longer than the 1975 Westsail 32. The 1990 Valiant 39 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 1990 Valiant 39, with an SA/D of 15.95 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1990 Valiant 39 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 1990 Valiant 39 has a comfort ratio of 23.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1975 Westsail 32 and 40.0% for the 1990 Valiant 39, 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 1990 Valiant 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 170L 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 1990 Valiant 39 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1990 Valiant 39 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 · 1990 Valiant 39