Westerly 33 or Westerly Discus

B

BurnitBlue

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 Oct 2005
Messages
4,575
Location
In Transit
Visit site
My boat search has narrowed down to a choice between the Westerly 33 and the Westerly Discus.

I would really appreciate any comments about the practical differences between the two for cruising and living aboard.

My problem is acute because both boats are on one brokers list and they are in the same place with only a slight difference in price however the Discus is a sloop the W33 is a ketch, so actually a massive difference. Its winter so no trial sail. I have no experience of a ketch so ...

Eeny meeny miny mo ... ?

I hope there is someone out there who can help. Thanks
 
Just to complicate things for you, have you looked at the WOA website recently? I looked this morning and there is one on there which seems to be great value. I have no connection with the seller, just an interest as I own a W33.
As I understand it, the W33 and Discus share the same hull so the two things you need to consider are the rig and the interior layout. Is the Discus rear cabin or rear cockpit?
Allan
 
When I started looking,I thought I'd prefer a ketch. After looking long and hard,came to the conclusion that ketch rig under 40ft. doesn't work. Rigging takes up space you want to move about in ,costs to replace rigging and sails. When sail handling was physically strenuous,you could make a case, but with lighter and more efficient gear a mizzen mast just gives you somewhere to put th radar. The boom however, will make fitting a wind vane or a wind genny more difficult and will pu shadows on your solar panels.
I bought a sloop!

PS . Ketch STILL looks better when you're rowing away!!
 
http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/westerly-33-ketch/westerly-33-ketch.htm

http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/westerly-discus/westerly-discus.htm

I take it you have seen these reviews......

All else being equal (and it wont be.....) I would have a Sloop ahead of a Ketch as it will sail better and a fin keel ahead of a bilge keel (same reason), and an Aft cockpit ahead of a centre cockpit on a boat of this size - unless the separation of the aft cabin is ""essential"" for privacy reasons.

Looked at a Discuss once - remember it as a fairly cavernous boat for its size.

Just spotted this.....http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/ZndvMjExOTQ1MjJ+cHZ0=-WESTERLY_DISCUSS_33.html £19K !!!
 
Last edited:
Twister_Ken said:
Don't know either boat, but I'd venture to suggest that even if the sailing performance is identical, there are other differences that would make one preferable to the other - especially anticipated future expenditure on replacements, upgrades, maintenance, etc.
Click to expand...

Good point about future expenditure. They even have the same original Merc engine so no choice there. They are both bilge keel, on an identical hull, so the only difference may be condition of sails and the difference in a walk through aft cabin and a hatch via the cockpit. I havn't seen any of them yet because they are a long way away in foreign parts.

OK I'll come clean. Both boats have a pdf file downloadable from Ionian Boat Assistance in Greece. This is all the info I have but I will travel down there in the next few days. And yes there is a slight difference in the price which haggling may close.
 
BlueTwo said:
Good point about future expenditure. They even have the same original Merc engine so no choice there. They are both bilge keel, on an identical hull, so the only difference may be condition of sails and the difference in a walk through aft cabin and a hatch via the cockpit. I havn't seen any of them yet because they are a long way away in foreign parts.

OK I'll come clean. Both boats have a pdf file downloadable from Ionian Boat Assistance in Greece. This is all the info I have but I will travel down there in the next few days. And yes there is a slight difference in the price which haggling may close.
Click to expand...

OK. So what age and condition are sails, spars, running rigging, standing rigging? How many engine hours, and what sort of service schedule has been maintained? State of shaft, cutless, prop. Condition of upholstery and headlinings. Which has the better awnings, ground tackle? Nav gear - what does each have, how recent is it, does it work? Has a holding tank been retrofitted? General condition of bottom, hull, topsides. Tender and outboard, or not? Does the stove have flame failure? Good warps and fenders, or a load of old tat? etc...
 
I will act on all advice when I actually get down there to view both boats. In the meantime I am loading up the brain cell(s) with advance info.

I now understand that the ketch rig loses some points (self steering, rigging in the way etc) so the emphasis will be on the Discus.

There will also be the general impression about condition and maintenance. I believe both boats are hauled out in Nidri by sledge and probably blocked in until Spring.

One disturbing (to me) fact is that I was told that boats are manhandled off the sledge and crowbarred into position with great big iron crowbars for storage that resembles sardines in a tin. Google earth on satelite fotos of Nidri will show what I Mean.
 
Last edited:
I looked at both and ended up buying a Discus. The boat has exceeded all our expectations. The sloop rig is easier than the ketch and powers the boat along nicely. Inside, the Discus makes better use of the space available by having the aft berth accessible from the saloon. By modern standards, the inside is BIG with a forepeak like a kig size bed. Sailing performance is better than you would expect, particularly in light airs where I imagined progress to be tragic but was surprised at how she keeps the momentum going. In addition, you get a boat that can sail anywhere! Bridge deck on the Discus is an acquired taste - I love it and have had a cockpit canopy made to cover it when moored up. Others don't like having to scramble over it to get below. Merc engine should be a plus point - they go on forever! PM me if you have any specific questions.
 
robmcg said:
I looked at both and ended up buying a Discus. The boat has exceeded all our expectations. The sloop rig is easier than the ketch and powers the boat along nicely. Inside, the Discus makes better use of the space available by having the aft berth accessible from the saloon. By modern standards, the inside is BIG with a forepeak like a kig size bed. Sailing performance is better than you would expect, particularly in light airs where I imagined progress to be tragic but was surprised at how she keeps the momentum going. In addition, you get a boat that can sail anywhere! Bridge deck on the Discus is an acquired taste - I love it and have had a cockpit canopy made to cover it when moored up. Others don't like having to scramble over it to get below. Merc engine should be a plus point - they go on forever! PM me if you have any specific questions.
Click to expand...

It seems that the consensus up to now is a vote for the Discus, sloop rigged, and bridge deck version. Fin or bilge keel is not really an option for me because I can only buy whats on offer out there and most are bilge keel versions. Thanks for that. Your comments that the usable space below is better in the Discus than the W33 is exactly the opinion I was looking for. So Discus it is.
 
You will find some differences between the interiors of the two models. The Discus and some later W33s (mine is 1982) have an extra cabinet next to the cooker, which is very useful. It does mean that the starboard berth has a trotter box.
Allan
 
W33

I have a W33 with the same interior as the Discuss from the Yachtsnet archive, the same that is apart from the nav station and walk-through to the aft cabin.

I know this doesn't help, you may just have to keep an open mind until you see them both and hope one or t'other "clicks" with you

Paul
 
BlueTwo said:
My boat search has narrowed down to a choice between the Westerly 33 and the Westerly Discus.

I would really appreciate any comments about the practical differences between the two for cruising and living aboard.

My problem is acute because both boats are on one brokers list and they are in the same place with only a slight difference in price however the Discus is a sloop the W33 is a ketch, so actually a massive difference. Its winter so no trial sail. I have no experience of a ketch so ...

Eeny meeny miny mo ... ?

I hope there is someone out there who can help. Thanks
Click to expand...


Check out which Discuss!!!

There is one model with a bridge deck which sort of makes clambering into the companion way a challenge for some especially with a low sprayhood. Fine for Midgets. Try it and see!
 
I would say that the budget would be better for a sloop rather than a ketch in this length. I have read several accounts of people with ketches who regretted the extra cost and windage compared with a sloop.
 
Bilgediver said:
There is one model with a bridge deck which sort of makes clambering into the companion way a challenge for some especially with a low sprayhood. Fine for Midgets. Try it and see!
Click to expand...

How is it done then? I would think turn round face the stern. Position both legs on the extended bridge deck as it you are doing push ups. Crawl backwards past the hatch then use the granny bars to lower yourself backwards down the steps into the cabin.

I think I would lower the sprayhood for access.

BTW I am 6 foot 6 inches so it is a point I should try a few times. But does it get easier with practice?
 
Twister_Ken said:
OK. So what age and condition are sails, spars, running rigging, standing rigging? How many engine hours, and what sort of service schedule has been maintained? State of shaft, cutless, prop. Condition of upholstery and headlinings. Which has the better awnings, ground tackle? Nav gear - what does each have, how recent is it, does it work? Has a holding tank been retrofitted? General condition of bottom, hull, topsides. Tender and outboard, or not? Does the stove have flame failure? Good warps and fenders, or a load of old tat? etc...
Click to expand...

Take especial care on large bilge keelers that the keels and the hull round them are not stressed. One that has been perennially grounding on every tide, may have a problems (I know there are no tides in the Ionian!)
 
BlueTwo said:
I think I would lower the sprayhood for access.

BTW I am 6 foot 6 inches so it is a point I should try a few times. But does it get easier with practice?
Click to expand...


SOme how I think I might spill my Malt as I try to do pressups over the bridge deck in reverse and then lower the sprayhood one handed as the heavens open good style...... Exactly why I suggested the OP practice.

Maybe I should post a vidio on Youtube of Scottish sailors doing the Discus Disco dance :D:D:D
 
Chris_Robb said:
Take especial care on large bilge keelers that the keels and the hull round them are not stressed. One that has been perennially grounding on every tide, may have a problems (I know there are no tides in the Ionian!)
Click to expand...

There is one next to me on the hard that has had it's starboard keel loose for years.The owner doesn't seem to mind too much though.This boat was in Greece for many years and now lies in the Algarve so it hasn't dried up on the keels for a long time.This means it doesn't take regular drying ups to loosen the keels on these Westerlys.
 
30boat said:
There is one next to me on the hard that has had it's starboard keel loose for years.The owner doesn't seem to mind too much though.This boat was in Greece for many years and now lies in the Algarve so it hasn't dried up on the keels for a long time.This means it doesn't take regular drying ups to loosen the keels on these Westerlys.
Click to expand...

Oh well, back to the start of my boat search. Being a refugee from the long encapsulated keel squadron, my thoughts about a loose keel or cracked hull (Cris Robb) is a worry I can live without. To put it mildly.

However, it has occurred to me that the W33 single mast sloop with fin keel option does not attract any critics. The Discus suffers from cracked hulls, loose bilge keels, bridge deck fit for midgets, useless ketch rig. etc.

So the W33 single mast sloop with a fin keel wins by default. Thanks all.
 
BlueTwo said:
Oh well, back to the start of my boat search. Being a refugee from the long encapsulated keel squadron, my thoughts about a loose keel or cracked hull (Cris Robb) is a worry I can live without. To put it mildly.

However, it has occurred to me that the W33 single mast sloop with fin keel option does not attract any critics. The Discus suffers from cracked hulls, loose bilge keels, bridge deck fit for midgets, useless ketch rig. etc.

So the W33 single mast sloop with a fin keel wins by default. Thanks all.
Click to expand...

We had a fin keeled W33 ketch for 14 years and ours was used in a 4 or 5 page write up in PBO after they spent a day sailing with us. I think you are getting some comments that are more hearsay than fact or more imagined than real.

The ketch is fine. The mizzen is stepped on the pedestal so can be hoisted or dropped from the safety of the cockpit. The boat sails well and the mizzen provides a bit of 'bite' up to about 14kts apparent upwind, after which we used to drop it as the first reef. Next reef was a few rolls in the genoa, then a few more. After that the lazy option we often took was to drop the main and rehoist the mizzen which was remarkably efficient and much better even offwind as it didn't blanket the genoa so much as the main on a broad reach. We did have a fully battened main AND mizzen and the mizzen sheeting was rearranged to be able to get the boom up on the centreline better.

The W33 was available as sloop or ketch, with a centre cockpit aft cabin and no walkthrough. That said we had friends with one who had converted theirs to a walkthrough with the loss of a large cockpit locker.

The Discus came as an aft cockpit sloop but I believe six were built as centre cockpit ones but with a factory built waklthrough to the aft cabin.

We also had two lots of friends with twin keeled W33 ketches, one being from choice to transit the euro canals, neither had keel problems but both were slower than our fin in all conditions and wind directions.

I would be very happy with either a centre cockpit W33 or an aft cockpit Discus and either sloop or ketch, but personally would prefer the fin keel over the twin option.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top