Catalina 28 vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
Catalina 28
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 28 | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 28 and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 28 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 28 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 28 measures 8.69m (28.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 1.06m longer than the Catalina 28. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 77% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 28 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.09 and 33.5 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 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 28 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.3% for the Catalina 28 and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 28 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L of water capacity and 57L 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 28 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 28 · 1979 Westerly Fulmar