1977 Westerly Centaur vs Hanse 320 — Comparison
Hanse 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | Hanse 320 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Hanse |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | Germany |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 90 L (23.8 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 Hanse 320 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the Hanse 320 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The Hanse 320 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the Hanse 320 at 9.92m (32.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The Hanse 320 is 2.00m longer than the 1977 Westerly Centaur. The Hanse 320 displaces approximately 69% 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 Hanse 320, with an SA/D of 16.90 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hanse 320 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 Hanse 320 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 30.4% for the Hanse 320, 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 Hanse 320 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 90L 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 Hanse 320 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 320 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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