1942 Nordic Folkboat vs 1977 Westerly Centaur — Comparison
1942 Nordic Folkboat
1977 Westerly Centaur
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1942 Nordic Folkboat | 1977 Westerly Centaur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nordic | Westerly |
| Year | 1942 | 1977–1981 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | UK |
| Designer | Tord Sunden | Laurent Giles |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.19 m (3.9 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 720 kg (1,587 lbs) | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 23.0 m² (248 ft²) | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Wood/Epoxy | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 8 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1942 Nordic Folkboat and 1977 Westerly Centaur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1942 Nordic Folkboat is a classic design by Nordic from Sweden, while the 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1942 Nordic Folkboat was penned by Tord Sunden. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was designed by Laurent Giles.
In terms of size, the 1942 Nordic Folkboat measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.18m, compared to the 1977 Westerly Centaur at 7.92m (26.0ft) with a 2.69m beam. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is 0.30m longer than the 1942 Nordic Folkboat. The 1977 Westerly Centaur displaces approximately 51% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1942 Nordic Folkboat has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.80 and 23.0 m² of sail area. The 1977 Westerly Centaur, with an SA/D of 14.02 and 26.9 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1942 Nordic Folkboat has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1942 Nordic Folkboat offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1977 Westerly Centaur has a comfort ratio of 23.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1942 Nordic Folkboat and 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1942 Nordic Folkboat provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L of water capacity and 20L of fuel. The 1977 Westerly Centaur offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Westerly Centaur 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 1942 Nordic Folkboat has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1977 Westerly Centaur offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.