1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter vs 1977 Westsail 28 — Comparison
1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter
1977 Westsail 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter | 1977 Westsail 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Westsail |
| Year | 1976–1983 | 1977–1983 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter and 1977 Westsail 28 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the 1977 Westsail 28 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter was penned by Carl Alberg. The 1977 Westsail 28 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 1977 Westsail 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.90m beam. The 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter is 0.61m longer than the 1977 Westsail 28. The 1977 Westsail 28 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.99 and 40.2 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 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 27.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1977 Westsail 28 has a comfort ratio of 36.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.66. The ballast ratios are 44.4% for the 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter and 41.7% for the 1977 Westsail 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L 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 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1976 Cape Dory 30 Cutter offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.