1977 Westerly Centaur vs Beneteau First 18 — Comparison
1977 Westerly Centaur
Beneteau First 18
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westerly Centaur | Beneteau First 18 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Beneteau |
| Year | 1977–1981 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | France |
| Designer | Laurent Giles | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 450 kg (992 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 100 kg (220 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.9 m² (290 ft²) | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Lifting |
| 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 Beneteau First 18 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the Beneteau First 18 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1977 Westerly Centaur was penned by Laurent Giles. The Beneteau First 18 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westerly Centaur measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the Beneteau First 18 at 5.49m (18.0ft) with a 2.28m beam. The 1977 Westerly Centaur is 2.43m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1977 Westerly Centaur displaces approximately 505% 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 Beneteau First 18, with an SA/D of 27.71 and 16.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 18 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 Beneteau First 18 has a comfort ratio of 8.8 and a capsize screening value of 1.19. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1977 Westerly Centaur and 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18, 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 Beneteau First 18 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 Beneteau First 18 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.