1975 Westsail 32 vs 1975 Pearson 39 — Comparison
1975 Westsail 32
1975 Pearson 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Westsail 32 | 1975 Pearson 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Pearson |
| Year | 1975–1985 | 1975–1980 |
| Type | Cutter | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.2 m² (530 ft²) | 60.8 m² (654 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Westsail 32 and 1975 Pearson 39 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1975 Westsail 32 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1975 Pearson 39 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1975 Westsail 32 was penned by William Crealock. The 1975 Pearson 39 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1975 Westsail 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1975 Pearson 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The 1975 Pearson 39 is 2.14m longer than the 1975 Westsail 32. The 1975 Westsail 32 displaces approximately 6% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Westsail 32 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.33 and 49.2 m² of sail area. The 1975 Pearson 39, with an SA/D of 15.83 and 60.8 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1975 Pearson 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Westsail 32 offers a comfortable motion suitable for extended cruising (comfort ratio: 33.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.65). The 1975 Pearson 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1975 Westsail 32 and 41.2% for the 1975 Pearson 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Westsail 32 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1975 Pearson 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Westsail 32 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 1975 Pearson 39 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1975 Pearson 39 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.