1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 vs 1978 Westsail 42 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 | 1978 Westsail 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pacific Seacraft | Westsail |
| Year | 1990–2007 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.5 m² (554 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 and 1978 Westsail 42 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 is a 1990s design by Pacific Seacraft from USA, while the 1978 Westsail 42 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 was penned by William Crealock. The 1978 Westsail 42 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1978 Westsail 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1978 Westsail 42 is 2.44m longer than the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34. The 1978 Westsail 42 displaces approximately 107% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.26 and 51.5 m² of sail area. The 1978 Westsail 42, with an SA/D of 13.12 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 27.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1978 Westsail 42 has a comfort ratio of 27.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.65. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 and 41.4% for the 1978 Westsail 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1978 Westsail 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L water and 227L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Westsail 42 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 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1978 Westsail 42 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: 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 · 1978 Westsail 42