1988 Westerly Corsair vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Westerly Corsair | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Elan |
| Year | 1988–1994 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | Slovenia |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Westerly Corsair and 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s design by Westerly from UK, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was penned by Ed Dubois. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the 1988 Westerly Corsair measures 11.00m (36.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2016 Elan GT5 is 2.85m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The 2016 Elan GT5 displaces approximately 61% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Westerly Corsair has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.81 and 50.0 m² of sail area. The 2016 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Westerly Corsair offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2016 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair and 31.4% for the 2016 Elan GT5, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Westerly Corsair provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 2016 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 2016 Elan GT5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2016 Elan GT5 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Westerly Corsair · 2016 Elan GT5