1978 Tayana 37 vs 1978 Westsail 42 — Comparison
1978 Tayana 37
1978 Westsail 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Tayana 37 | 1978 Westsail 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Tayana | Westsail |
| Year | 1978–1995 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | Taiwan | USA |
| Designer | Bob Harris | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.3 m² (660 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Tayana 37 and 1978 Westsail 42 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1978 Tayana 37 is a 1970s design by Tayana from Taiwan, while the 1978 Westsail 42 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1978 Tayana 37 was penned by Bob Harris. The 1978 Westsail 42 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1978 Tayana 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1978 Westsail 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1978 Westsail 42 is 1.52m longer than the 1978 Tayana 37. The 1978 Westsail 42 displaces approximately 61% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Tayana 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.36 and 61.3 m² of sail area. The 1978 Westsail 42, with an SA/D of 13.12 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1978 Tayana 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Tayana 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 26.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.68). The 1978 Westsail 42 has a comfort ratio of 27.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.65. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Tayana 37 and 41.4% for the 1978 Westsail 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Tayana 37 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 1978 Westsail 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L water and 227L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Westsail 42 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 1978 Tayana 37 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.