1977 Westerly Centaur vs 1975 Cal 29 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | 1975 Cal 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Cal |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 1975–1981 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Bill Lapworth |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and 1975 Cal 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 1975 Cal 29 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The 1975 Cal 29 was designed by Bill Lapworth.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the 1975 Cal 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1975 Cal 29 is 0.92m longer than the 1977 Westerly Centaur. The 1975 Cal 29 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Westerly Centaur has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.02 and 26.9 m² of sail area. The 1975 Cal 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1975 Cal 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Westerly Centaur offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1975 Cal 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 42.9% for the 1975 Cal 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Westerly Centaur provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1975 Cal 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Westerly Centaur 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 1975 Cal 29 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: 1977 Westerly Centaur · 1975 Cal 29