1987 Cape Dory 40 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1987 Cape Dory 40
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Cape Dory 40 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Ericson |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 284 L (75.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Cape Dory 40 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was penned by Carl Alberg. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 1987 Cape Dory 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.66m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 is 0.61m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Cape Dory 40 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.59 and 64.5 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 Ericson 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Cape Dory 40 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Cape Dory 40 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 1984 Ericson 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.