Catalina 387 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
Catalina 387
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 387 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 387 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 387 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 387 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 387 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.66m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Catalina 387 is 0.58m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The Catalina 387 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 387 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.73 and 63.0 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 Catalina 387 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 387 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the Catalina 387 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 387 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L 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 Catalina 387 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: Catalina 387 · 1988 Westerly Corsair