Dufour 385 Grand Large vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 385 Grand Large | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Westerly |
| Year | 2006–2010 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 385 Grand Large and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Dufour 385 Grand Large measures 11.53m (37.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.68m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 0.53m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 385 Grand Large has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.05 and 62.0 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 385 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 385 Grand Large provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 130L 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Dufour 385 Grand Large · 1988 Westerly Corsair