1981 Pearson 303 vs 1986 Westerly Oceanlord — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | 1986 Westerly Oceanlord |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Westerly |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1986–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | William Shaw | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 9,980 kg (22,002 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 182 L (48.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and 1986 Westerly Oceanlord represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 303 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is 2.90m longer than the 1981 Pearson 303. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord displaces approximately 159% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 303 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.45 and 39.8 m² of sail area. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1981 Pearson 303 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 303 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 36.4% for the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 303 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 182L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 Pearson 303 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 Pearson 303 · 1986 Westerly Oceanlord