Beneteau First 27 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is 2.81m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 1988 Westerly Corsair displaces approximately 165% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.84 and 35.0 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 Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L of water capacity and 40L 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 Beneteau First 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Westerly Corsair 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: Beneteau First 27 · 1988 Westerly Corsair