1977 Westerly Centaur vs Hunter 27 — Comparison
Hunter 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | Hunter 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Hunter |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and Hunter 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the Hunter 27 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The Hunter 27 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 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Hunter 27 is 0.31m longer than the 1977 Westerly Centaur. The 1977 Westerly Centaur displaces approximately 9% 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 27, with an SA/D of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 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 Hunter 27 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 36.4% for the Hunter 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 Hunter 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1977 Westerly Centaur · Hunter 27