2008 Nautor Swan 45 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Nautor Swan 45 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Westerly |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | UK |
| Designer | German Frers | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.84 m (45.4 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is a 2000s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 was penned by German Frers. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 measures 13.84m (45.4ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 is 2.84m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The 2008 Nautor Swan 45 displaces approximately 64% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.21 and 95.0 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 2008 Nautor Swan 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Nautor Swan 45 provides 6 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 180L 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 2008 Nautor Swan 45 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2008 Nautor Swan 45 · 1988 Westerly Corsair