1977 Westerly Centaur vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 is 0.31m longer than the 1977 Westerly Centaur.
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 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, 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 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 Cape Dory 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1977 Westerly Centaur 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: 1977 Westerly Centaur · 1978 Cape Dory 270