1980 Freedom 33 vs 1985 Westerly Storm 33 — Comparison
1980 Freedom 33
1985 Westerly Storm 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Freedom 33 | 1985 Westerly Storm 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Westerly |
| Year | 1980–1987 | 1985–1990 |
| Type | Other | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,996 kg (4,400 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Freedom 33 and 1985 Westerly Storm 33 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1980 Freedom 33 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the 1985 Westerly Storm 33 is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1980 Freedom 33 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1980 Freedom 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1985 Westerly Storm 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Freedom 33 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.27 and 41.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Westerly Storm 33, with an SA/D of 15.20 and 45.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Freedom 33 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 has a comfort ratio of 20.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1980 Freedom 33 and 41.7% for the 1985 Westerly Storm 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Freedom 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 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 1985 Westerly Storm 33 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.