1963 Cal 40 vs 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur — Comparison
1963 Cal 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1963 Cal 40 | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cal | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1963–1972 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Bill Lapworth | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.3 m² (660 ft²) | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1963 Cal 40 and 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1963 Cal 40 is a classic design by Cal from USA, while the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s offering from Wauquiez from France. The 1963 Cal 40 was penned by Bill Lapworth. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the 1963 Cal 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur at 10.21m (33.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1963 Cal 40 is 1.98m longer than the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur. The 1963 Cal 40 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1963 Cal 40 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.97 and 61.3 m² of sail area. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 47.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1963 Cal 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1963 Cal 40 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the 1963 Cal 40 and 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1963 Cal 40 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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 1963 Cal 40 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: 1963 Cal 40 · 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur