Beneteau First 36.7 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 36.7 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.58m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Beneteau First 36.7 is 0.89m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 6% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 36.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 36.7 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 36.7 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: Beneteau First 36.7 · 1991 Westerly Seahawk