1978 Cape Dory 270 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Cape Dory 270 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Westerly |
| Year | 1978–1985 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Cape Dory 270 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was penned by Carl Alberg. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is 2.77m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The 1988 Westerly Corsair displaces approximately 133% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Westerly Corsair, with an SA/D of 14.81 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1988 Westerly Corsair has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1988 Westerly Corsair offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 1988 Westerly Corsair has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Westerly Corsair offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Cape Dory 270 · 1988 Westerly Corsair