1973 Cal 25 vs 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 — Comparison
1973 Cal 25
1988 Pacific Seacraft 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Cal 25 | 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cal | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1973–1978 | 1988–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bill Lapworth | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.5 m² (285 ft²) | 40.5 m² (436 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Cal 25 and 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Cal 25 is a 1970s design by Cal from USA, while the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The 1973 Cal 25 was penned by Bill Lapworth. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1973 Cal 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 is 1.83m longer than the 1973 Cal 25. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 displaces approximately 175% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Cal 25 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.11 and 26.5 m² of sail area. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31, with an SA/D of 14.09 and 40.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1973 Cal 25 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Cal 25 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 has a comfort ratio of 26.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1973 Cal 25 and 43.6% for the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Cal 25 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 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 1973 Cal 25 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.