1977 Westerly Centaur vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Catalina |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is 0.30m longer than the Catalina 250. The 1977 Westerly Centaur displaces approximately 71% 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 Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 250 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 Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, 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 Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L 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 Catalina 250 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.
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