1979 Westerly Fulmar vs 1983 Pearson 31 — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
1983 Pearson 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Westerly Fulmar | 1983 Pearson 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Pearson |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 136 L (35.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 1983 Pearson 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 1983 Pearson 31 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was penned by Ed Dubois. The 1983 Pearson 31 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1983 Pearson 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 0.30m longer than the 1983 Pearson 31. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 16% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Pearson 31, with an SA/D of 15.35 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1983 Pearson 31 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1983 Pearson 31 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 42.1% for the 1983 Pearson 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 1983 Pearson 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 1983 Pearson 31 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: 1979 Westerly Fulmar · 1983 Pearson 31