1977 Westerly Centaur vs 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 — Comparison
1977 Westerly Centaur
1982 Pacific Seacraft 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 1982–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.64 m (8.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 30.5 m² (328 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.64m beam. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 is 0.31m longer than the 1977 Westerly Centaur. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Westerly Centaur has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.02 and 26.9 m² of sail area. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27, with an SA/D of 14.35 and 30.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Westerly Centaur offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 has a comfort ratio of 26.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 42.9% for the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Westerly Centaur provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1977 Westerly Centaur offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.