1977 Westsail 28 vs 1975 Ericson 25+ — Comparison
1977 Westsail 28
1975 Ericson 25+
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westsail 28 | 1975 Ericson 25+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Ericson |
| Year | 1977–1983 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Cutter | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 23 L (6.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westsail 28 and 1975 Ericson 25+ represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1977 Westsail 28 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1975 Ericson 25+ is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1977 Westsail 28 was penned by William Crealock. The 1975 Ericson 25+ was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1977 Westsail 28 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1975 Ericson 25+ at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1977 Westsail 28 is 0.91m longer than the 1975 Ericson 25+. The 1977 Westsail 28 displaces approximately 186% 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 Ericson 25+, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 25.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1975 Ericson 25+ 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 Ericson 25+ has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1977 Westsail 28 and 38.1% for the 1975 Ericson 25+, 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 Ericson 25+ offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L water and 23L 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 Ericson 25+ 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.