1977 Westsail 28 vs 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon — Comparison
1977 Westsail 28
1975 Cape Dory Typhoon
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westsail 28 | 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1977–1983 | 1975–1988 |
| Type | Cutter | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 272 kg (600 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 10.6 m² (114 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 5 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 8 L (2.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westsail 28 and 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1977 Westsail 28 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1977 Westsail 28 was penned by William Crealock. The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westsail 28 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon at 5.79m (19.0ft) with a 1.83m beam. The 1977 Westsail 28 is 2.74m longer than the 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon. The 1977 Westsail 28 displaces approximately 700% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Westsail 28 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 11.16 and 34.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon, with an SA/D of 13.94 and 10.6 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Westsail 28 offers a comfortable motion suitable for extended cruising (comfort ratio: 36.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.66). The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1977 Westsail 28 and 40.0% for the 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Westsail 28 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon offers 2 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and 8L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Westsail 28 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 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon 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 Westsail 28 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.