1979 Westerly Fulmar vs 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
2013 Beneteau Figaro 3
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Westerly Fulmar | 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Beneteau |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | France |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 3,450 kg (7,606 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 136 L (35.9 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 2 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was penned by Ed Dubois. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 was designed by VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost.
In terms of size, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 at 10.10m (33.1ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 is 0.35m longer than the 1979 Westerly Fulmar. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 45% 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, with an SA/D of 28.93 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 has a comfort ratio of 11.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.90. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 43.5% for the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 offers 2 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 60L 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 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 · 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3