1977 Westerly Centaur vs Beneteau First 33.7 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | Beneteau First 33.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Beneteau |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | France |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and Beneteau First 33.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The Beneteau First 33.7 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the Beneteau First 33.7 at 10.04m (32.9ft) with a 3.32m beam. The Beneteau First 33.7 is 2.12m longer than the 1977 Westerly Centaur. The Beneteau First 33.7 displaces approximately 73% 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 Beneteau First 33.7, with an SA/D of 19.92 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 33.7 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7, 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 Beneteau First 33.7 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 33.7 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 · Beneteau First 33.7