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Slowboater33

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Hi all. I'm tempted to look at a westerly that was once a ketch but some time in the past had the mizzen removed. The mizzen is now a radar/wind genny pole. Is this viable, used now as a sloop. Other than that it's in nice condition
 
dunedin said:
Well for aesthetics a William Fife 3 gaff rigger schooner would trump that any day of the week :)

But for practical yacht cruising, a Bermudan sloop with roller furling jib is perfect for most people.
Click to expand...

OK ... thread drift ...

Sailing Solent with my Father - we used to see the old Thames Barge a lot - with the Scotch Whiskey branding on its tan sails .... somewhere I have a photo and my Father had it on 8mm film ...

Found it ...

1pS9Fxhl.jpg


Sorry - its a clip from the 8mm so bot fuzzy ...

oc9g7bcl.jpg


Taken from our Hillyard .....
 
Slowboater33 said:
Hi all. I'm tempted to look at a westerly that was once a ketch but some time in the past had the mizzen removed. The mizzen is now a radar/wind genny pole. Is this viable, used now as a sloop. Other than that it's in nice condition
Click to expand...
Perhaps worth clarifying the precise boat model, and whether had any other modifications.

Some Westerlies were sold with the option of sloop or ketch rig. And the Westerly Owners Association would be able to clarify whether the main mast was in the same position or moved aft for the sloop.

Also worth asking the current owner why changed. Perhaps as a ketch had bad weather helm and therefore sailed better as a sloop? Or the other sails have been modified to be more like the sloop version.
 
Russian Tall Ship "Mir" ..... passing through Solent ..... (few years earlier I was Guest at Captains Table on her in St Petersburg, our Biz Partner was senior Navigation Professor at Markharov Academy - the 'Operators' of SV Mir).

EJjNumHl.jpg


and of course "Kruzenshtern" with Wife getting in the way ....

obJLnXRl.jpg


 
It will sail, I'm sure, but not to best advantage. Might not matter much depending on your intended use.

Which model Westerly? Perhaps an owner of such a Westerly ketch can comment on the extent of the balance and drive penalties (if any!) when mizzen not hoisted.

Sad if the owner who made the change didn't keep the original parts.

You could replace the mizzen (doesn't have to be exactly same as original), albeit at a cost, but make sure any mast support and chainplates are still in place.
 
A ketch is an indulgence in the world of modern sail handling but speaking as a ketch owner, reinstate the mizzen. Unless there is some big reason why it can't be (like the new mast additions are not compatible with the old rig). It will add complexity with more ropes, rigging and sails but rewards with the ability to choose sail combinations to suit wind and weather, to balance the boat better and to help with heaving to and motorsailing.

You can sail without and I do when off the wind but its a great aid from reaching to close hauled. Sailing under jib or genoa and mizzen is one of the most comfortable ways to sail.

Conversely, if you don't enjoy playing with sails, leave it as a sloop. Westerly 33's are one of my favourite designs from the older Westerly designer - I always liked the flared bow.
 
Refueler said:
OK ... thread drift ...

Sailing Solent with my Father - we used to see the old Thames Barge a lot - with the Scotch Whiskey branding on its tan sails .... somewhere I have a photo and my Father had it on 8mm film ...

Found it ...

1pS9Fxhl.jpg


Sorry - its a clip from the 8mm so bot fuzzy ...

oc9g7bcl.jpg


Taken from our Hillyard .....
Click to expand...
Worked at Hillyards for summer,what size was yours or was it before they standerized the tonnage.?
 
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