1979 Westsail 43 vs 1981 Pearson 424 — Comparison
1979 Westsail 43
1981 Pearson 424
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Westsail 43 | 1981 Pearson 424 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Pearson |
| Year | 1979–1984 | 1981–1985 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.11 m (43.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,515 kg (32,000 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 284 L (75.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Westsail 43 and 1981 Pearson 424 represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 1979 Westsail 43 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1981 Pearson 424 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1979 Westsail 43 was penned by William Crealock. The 1981 Pearson 424 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1979 Westsail 43 measures 13.11m (43.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1981 Pearson 424 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1979 Westsail 43 is 0.31m longer than the 1981 Pearson 424. The 1979 Westsail 43 displaces approximately 52% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Westsail 43 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 13.31 and 78.0 m² of sail area. The 1981 Pearson 424, with an SA/D of 16.28 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1981 Pearson 424 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Westsail 43 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 27.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.65). The 1981 Pearson 424 has a comfort ratio of 20.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.6% for the 1979 Westsail 43 and 38.1% for the 1981 Pearson 424, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Westsail 43 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 568L of water capacity and 284L of fuel. The 1981 Pearson 424 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westsail 43 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 1981 Pearson 424 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.