1987 Beneteau First 38 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
1987 Beneteau First 38
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is 0.58m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 displaces approximately 11% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Westerly Corsair, with an SA/D of 14.81 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1988 Westerly Corsair offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Westerly Corsair 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 38 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.