1977 Westerly Centaur vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
1977 Westerly Centaur
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Hunter |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Hunter 30 is 1.22m longer than the 1977 Westerly Centaur. The Hunter 30 displaces approximately 42% 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 Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 30 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 Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, 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 Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Westerly Centaur 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 Hunter 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 30 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.