1985 Beneteau First 285 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk is 1.71m longer than the 1985 Beneteau First 285. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 111% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.99 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 1985 Beneteau First 285 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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: 1985 Beneteau First 285 · 1991 Westerly Seahawk