1965 Pearson Vanguard vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
1965 Pearson Vanguard
1978 Cape Dory 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Pearson Vanguard | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Philip Rhodes | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.83 m (32.3 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard was penned by Philip Rhodes. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard measures 9.83m (32.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is 1.60m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.32 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1965 Pearson Vanguard 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 1978 Cape Dory 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 1965 Pearson Vanguard offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.