1973 Tartan 34 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
1973 Tartan 34
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Tartan 34 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Tartan | Westerly |
| Year | 1973–1984 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.5 m² (501 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Tartan 34 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Tartan 34 is a 1970s design by Tartan from USA, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1973 Tartan 34 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1973 Tartan 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is 0.64m longer than the 1973 Tartan 34. The 1988 Westerly Corsair displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Tartan 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.27 and 46.5 m² of sail area. The 1988 Westerly Corsair, with an SA/D of 14.81 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1973 Tartan 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Tartan 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 27.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 45.0% for the 1973 Tartan 34 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Tartan 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1988 Westerly Corsair offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Tartan 34 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 Tartan 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Westerly Corsair offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.