Bavaria C42 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
Bavaria C42
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria C42 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Westerly |
| Year | 2018 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | UK |
| Designer | cossutti yacht design | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 45 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria C42 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria C42 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The Bavaria C42 was penned by cossutti yacht design. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Bavaria C42 measures 12.88m (42.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 2.52m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The Bavaria C42 displaces approximately 45% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria C42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.98 and 76.0 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 Bavaria C42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria C42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) 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 30.9% for the Bavaria C42 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria C42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 200L 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 Bavaria C42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria C42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.