Westerley Renown Ketch 32

[gorham]

I am thinking of buying a Westerly Renown 32 ft ketch. Has anyone any experience of one. Anything to look out for? Any major worries? I have noticed that whn th engine is in neutral that the boat slowly moves forwards - could this be a major problem.
Finally, how easy to sell in the future.
The boat was built in 1979 - any ideas on a rough value now

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[VicS]

Welcome to the forum.

I have crewed a Berwck sloop regularly for over 20 yrs. It's a good sturdy boat and I can't think of any problems which would be specific to the Renown, Berwick, Longbow, Pentland range. You have to be careful not to bend the rudder stock on the bilge keelers but that dosn't really apply to the fin keelers.

We had a lucky escape from possible disaster a few years ago when keen eyes spotted a broken U bolt on one of the shrouds. Not specific to the model but worth looking at especially if there is any sign of leakage around them.

Can't comment on the gearbox problem but should be taken into account when agreeing a price.

I understand that another Berwick in the yard was sold this winter for £10K.

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[Lizzie_B]

Had the same problem with engine on my boat. New throttle cable did the trick, so need not be problem as long as you find out what is causing it. I know two people who have/had Pentland (bilge keel version of Renown) for many years and only ever spoke well of them. The one in the 'had' category only sold to get the bigger Westerly 33 Ketch as his kids were demanding more space and he is not the sort to suffer bad boats quietly so he must have been happy. He reckoned if reasonably looked after, they were as tough as old boots, and sailed far better than their looks would make you think.

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[max]

I have a Pentland. As Lizzie B says, tough as old boots and sails better than she looks. Stress cracking across bilge stringers a problem for bilge keelers. Presumably not a problem on Fin keeler. Usual problems to expect on boat that age - tired engine, worn sails, osmosis, possibly in need of paint job if gelcoat worn down through by constant cleaning, tired fit out etc.

As for price you pay for what you get. 16k to 24k depending on condition and obvious things such as whether she has been re-engined/osmosis treatment/new sails etc. If one was sold for 10k as suggested in the thread I would assume it was a wreck.

Great family boats that hold their value if in good nick. They are unlikely to thrill you with sparkling sailing, but equally, won't terrify in a blow.

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[AlanPound]

There is a really active Yahoo group for Westerleys.... worth its weight in electrons for a Westerley owner - lots of general purpose stuff there too...

(Just don't mention sagging headliners though...)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Westerly-Owners/

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[VicS]

No, it was not a wreck. It was brought in for an osmosis job though and I have no idea what other work was needed. It looked a whole lot of boat for 10K but I am assured that they sell for very much less than the asking prices you see in adverts

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[pvb]

Pentland...

I bought a new Westerly Pentland in 78 and kept her until 83. Good, steady, reassuring boat (my wife and I were relatively new to sailing then). Certainly looked after us well. I still have the original sales brochure - if you'd like me to e-mail scans of it to you, just PM me with your e-mail address.

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[gorham]

Re: Pentland...

Thank you - could you please email the brochure to me paul@gorham.org.uk thank you

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[ickeymer]

I have just sold my 1974 Renown, in order to get a bigger boat, and am having regrets. It sailed very well, stood anything nature threw at it, and stayed dry. It has more storage space than most modern yachts twice her size. The biggest problem I saw was with GRP stress cracking at the forward buklhead / hull joints and gelcoat crazing near the water tanks. I re-engined three seasons ago with a beta 28, and believe she was worth £24k when I sold her last week though I let her go for less: The new owner has a bargain.
I think resail would be easy. They are sought after by centaur owners seeking to go bigger.
The first person to view my boat bought her.

ex Savourna II

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[pvb]

On its way...

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