1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Wauquiez | Westerly |
| Year | 1988–1998 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Jean-Marie Finot | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s design by Wauquiez from France, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was penned by Jean-Marie Finot. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur measures 10.21m (33.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk is 0.15m longer than the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.43 and 47.0 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 90L 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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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