1979 Westsail 43 vs 1982 Amel Maramu — Comparison
1979 Westsail 43
1982 Amel Maramu
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Westsail 43 | 1982 Amel Maramu |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Amel |
| Year | 1979–1984 | 1982–1992 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Crealock | Henri Amel |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.11 m (43.0 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,515 kg (32,000 lbs) | 14,000 kg (30,865 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 5,000 kg (11,023 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 60 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 284 L (75.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Westsail 43 and 1982 Amel Maramu represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 1979 Westsail 43 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1982 Amel Maramu is a 1980s offering from Amel from France. The 1979 Westsail 43 was penned by William Crealock. The 1982 Amel Maramu was designed by Henri Amel.
In terms of size, the 1979 Westsail 43 measures 13.11m (43.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1982 Amel Maramu at 14.00m (45.9ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 1982 Amel Maramu is 0.89m longer than the 1979 Westsail 43. The 1979 Westsail 43 displaces approximately 4% 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 1982 Amel Maramu, with an SA/D of 15.39 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1982 Amel Maramu 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 1982 Amel Maramu has a comfort ratio of 23.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.68. The ballast ratios are 40.6% for the 1979 Westsail 43 and 35.7% for the 1982 Amel Maramu, 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 1982 Amel Maramu offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 300L 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 1982 Amel Maramu 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.