1977 Westerly Centaur vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Catalina |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Catalina 270 is 0.39m longer than the 1977 Westerly Centaur. The 1977 Westerly Centaur displaces approximately 18% 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 Catalina 270, with an SA/D of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 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 Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 39.2% for the Catalina 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 Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L 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 Catalina 270 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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