1980 Peterson 34 vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Peterson 34 | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Westerly |
| Year | 1980–1986 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Peterson 34 and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Peterson 34 is a 1980s design by Peterson from USA, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1980 Peterson 34 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1980 Peterson 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1980 Peterson 34 is 0.61m longer than the 1979 Westerly Fulmar. The 1980 Peterson 34 displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Peterson 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar, with an SA/D of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1980 Peterson 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Peterson 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1980 Peterson 34 and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Peterson 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L 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 1980 Peterson 34 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: 1980 Peterson 34 · 1979 Westerly Fulmar