Catalina 390 vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 390 | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 390 and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 390 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 390 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 390 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Catalina 390 is 2.14m longer than the 1979 Westerly Fulmar. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 65% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 390 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.29 and 65.5 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar, with an SA/D of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Catalina 390 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 390 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 39.6% for the Catalina 390 and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 390 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 390 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 390 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: Catalina 390 · 1979 Westerly Fulmar