1977 Westerly Centaur vs Hunter 185 — Comparison
1977 Westerly Centaur
Hunter 185
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | Hunter 185 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Hunter |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 5.54 m (18.2 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 4.95 m (16.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 408 kg (899 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 82 kg (181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 13.0 m² (140 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 2 |
| Cabins | 2 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westerly Centaur and Hunter 185 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the Hunter 185 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The Hunter 185 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 185 at 5.54m (18.2ft) with a 2.13m beam. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is 2.38m longer than the Hunter 185. The 1977 Westerly Centaur displaces approximately 567% 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 185, with an SA/D of 24.03 and 13.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 185 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 185 has a comfort ratio of 8.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.15. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 20.1% for the Hunter 185, 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 185 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
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 185 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.