1988 Westerly Corsair vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
1988 Westerly Corsair
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Westerly Corsair | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Cal |
| Year | 1988–1994 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Westerly Corsair and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s design by Westerly from UK, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was penned by Ed Dubois. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1988 Westerly Corsair measures 11.00m (36.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Cal 39 is 0.89m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The 1979 Cal 39 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Westerly Corsair has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.81 and 50.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1979 Cal 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Westerly Corsair offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Westerly Corsair provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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 1979 Cal 39 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Westerly Corsair · 1979 Cal 39