The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 vs Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 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 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 at 31,1 ft versus Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 at 28,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 tips the scales at 9 899 lbs — 2 205 lbs more than the Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 at 7 694 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 displaces 9 899 lbs — a 2 205-lb difference over the Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 at 7 694 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 4,0 ft and 5,0 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 6,8 knots for the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 and 6,5 knots for the Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 carries 36 gallons versus 20 gallons on the Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 9 899 lbs displacement and 31 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 at 7 694 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.