2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 2010–2014 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Groupe Finot-Conq | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.17 m (43.2 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 54 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 was penned by Groupe Finot-Conq. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 measures 13.17m (43.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.17m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 is 2.81m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 displaces approximately 55% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 80.0 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 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 31.6% for the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 150L 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 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 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
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Or view individual specs: 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 · 1991 Westerly Seahawk