1979 Westerly Fulmar vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Westerly Fulmar | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Ericson |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 136 L (35.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was penned by Ed Dubois. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 0.91m longer than the 1976 Ericson 29. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 57% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1976 Ericson 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 1976 Ericson 29 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 Westerly Fulmar 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: 1979 Westerly Fulmar · 1976 Ericson 29