The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1980 vs Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Westerly Fulmar 32 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1980 at 31,1 ft versus Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 at 31,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1980 tips the scales at 10 031 lbs — 132 lbs more than the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 at 9 899 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 10 031 lbs for the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1980 and 9 899 lbs for the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1980 draws 5,8 ft, compared to 4,0 ft for the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980. That 1,8-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1980 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 6,8 knots for the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 and 6,8 knots for the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1980.
Bottom line: The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1980 and Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.