2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hallberg-Rassy | Westerly |
| Year | 2005–2014 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | UK |
| Designer | German Frers | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 is a 2000s design by Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 was penned by German Frers. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.52m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 is 1.50m longer than the 1979 Westerly Fulmar. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.44 and 62.0 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 160L 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 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: 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 · 1979 Westerly Fulmar