1987 Beneteau First 345 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is 0.09m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 1987 Beneteau First 345 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1987 Beneteau First 345 · 1991 Westerly Seahawk