1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur vs 1972 Ericson 32 — Comparison
1972 Ericson 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur | 1972 Ericson 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Wauquiez | Ericson |
| Year | 1988–1998 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean-Marie Finot | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur and 1972 Ericson 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s design by Wauquiez from France, while the 1972 Ericson 32 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was penned by Jean-Marie Finot. The 1972 Ericson 32 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur measures 10.21m (33.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1972 Ericson 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is 0.46m longer than the 1972 Ericson 32. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur displaces approximately 26% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.43 and 47.0 m² of sail area. The 1972 Ericson 32, with an SA/D of 14.97 and 39.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1972 Ericson 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur and 42.1% for the 1972 Ericson 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 90L of fuel. The 1972 Ericson 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Ericson 32 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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: 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur · 1972 Ericson 32