1977 Westsail 28 vs 1982 Cape Dory 36 — Comparison
1977 Westsail 28
1982 Cape Dory 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Westsail 28 | 1982 Cape Dory 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1977–1983 | 1982–1990 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 55.5 m² (597 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Westsail 28 and 1982 Cape Dory 36 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1977 Westsail 28 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1982 Cape Dory 36 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1977 Westsail 28 was penned by William Crealock. The 1982 Cape Dory 36 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 1982 Cape Dory 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1982 Cape Dory 36 is 2.44m longer than the 1977 Westsail 28. The 1982 Cape Dory 36 displaces approximately 25% 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 1982 Cape Dory 36, with an SA/D of 15.70 and 55.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1982 Cape Dory 36 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 1982 Cape Dory 36 has a comfort ratio of 24.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1977 Westsail 28 and 40.0% for the 1982 Cape Dory 36, 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 1982 Cape Dory 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L 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 1982 Cape Dory 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1982 Cape Dory 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.