1981 Pearson 303 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Westerly |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | William Shaw | 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 | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 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 | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The 1988 Westerly Corsair 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 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is 1.86m longer than the 1981 Pearson 303. The 1988 Westerly Corsair displaces approximately 65% 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 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 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 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, 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 1988 Westerly Corsair offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 303 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 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 Pearson 303 · 1988 Westerly Corsair