1979 Westerly Fulmar vs 1982 Freedom 28 — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
1982 Freedom 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Westerly Fulmar | 1982 Freedom 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Freedom |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 1982–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 29.0 m² (312 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 136 L (35.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 1982 Freedom 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 1982 Freedom 28 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was penned by Ed Dubois. The 1982 Freedom 28 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1982 Freedom 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 1.22m longer than the 1982 Freedom 28. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 100% 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 1982 Freedom 28, with an SA/D of 16.02 and 29.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1982 Freedom 28 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 1982 Freedom 28 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.84. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 36.4% for the 1982 Freedom 28, 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 1982 Freedom 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L 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 1982 Freedom 28 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 · 1982 Freedom 28