1970 Columbia 26 Mk II vs 1977 Westsail 28 — Comparison
1970 Columbia 26 Mk II
1977 Westsail 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II | 1977 Westsail 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Westsail |
| Year | 1970–1975 | 1977–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.2 m² (282 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 1977 Westsail 28 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the 1977 Westsail 28 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II was penned by William Crealock. The 1977 Westsail 28 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the 1977 Westsail 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.90m beam. The 1977 Westsail 28 is 0.61m longer than the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II. The 1977 Westsail 28 displaces approximately 186% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.33 and 26.2 m² of sail area. The 1977 Westsail 28, with an SA/D of 11.16 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1977 Westsail 28 has a comfort ratio of 36.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.66. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 41.7% for the 1977 Westsail 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The 1977 Westsail 28 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Westsail 28 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 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.