Catalina 270 vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
Catalina 270
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 1.44m longer than the Catalina 270. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 116% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 270 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar, with an SA/D of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 270 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 270 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 Catalina 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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: Catalina 270 · 1979 Westerly Fulmar