Hunter 280 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
Hunter 280
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 280 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Westerly |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 280 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 280 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Hunter 280 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Hunter 280 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.82m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is 2.47m longer than the Hunter 280. The 1988 Westerly Corsair displaces approximately 146% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 280 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.35 and 34.0 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 Hunter 280 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 280 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the Hunter 280 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 280 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L 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 Hunter 280 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.