1978 Westsail 42 vs 1979 Westsail 43 — Comparison
1978 Westsail 42
1979 Westsail 43
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Westsail 42 | 1979 Westsail 43 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Westsail |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1979–1984 |
| Type | Cutter | Ketch |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 13.11 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) | 14,515 kg (32,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 568 L (150.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Westsail 42 and 1979 Westsail 43 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1978 Westsail 42 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1979 Westsail 43 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1978 Westsail 42 was penned by William Crealock. The 1979 Westsail 43 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1978 Westsail 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.81m, compared to the 1979 Westsail 43 at 13.11m (43.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The 1979 Westsail 43 is 0.31m longer than the 1978 Westsail 42. The 1979 Westsail 43 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Westsail 42 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 13.12 and 72.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westsail 43, with an SA/D of 13.31 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1979 Westsail 43 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Westsail 42 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 27.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.65). The 1979 Westsail 43 has a comfort ratio of 27.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.65. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 1978 Westsail 42 and 40.6% for the 1979 Westsail 43, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Westsail 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 227L of fuel. The 1979 Westsail 43 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 568L water and 284L 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 1979 Westsail 43 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Westsail 43 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.