1981 Ericson 30+ vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Ericson 30+ | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | Westerly |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Bruce King | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Ericson 30+ and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Ericson 30+ is a 1980s design by Ericson from USA, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1981 Ericson 30+ was penned by Bruce King. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1981 Ericson 30+ measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is 1.86m longer than the 1981 Ericson 30+. The 1988 Westerly Corsair displaces approximately 56% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Ericson 30+ has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.79 and 39.7 m² of sail area. The 1988 Westerly Corsair, with an SA/D of 14.81 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1981 Ericson 30+ has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Ericson 30+ offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1981 Ericson 30+ and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Ericson 30+ provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1988 Westerly Corsair offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Ericson 30+ 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 1981 Ericson 30+ has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Westerly Corsair 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: 1981 Ericson 30+ · 1988 Westerly Corsair