Westerly 33 bilge keeler

[brian.campbell]

Morning all,
We're considering moving up to a larger yacht. There's a Westerly 33 we may be interested in. It's a bilge keeler, and I wondered how much this compromises sailing ability. Not looking for a racer, or even a particularly fast boat, but we don't want to be embarrassed by getting hammered by every passing yacht. Accommodation appeals, even if there is separate access aft cabin, and while the engine is original, it may be good for some years yet.
What does the panel think of the sailing abilities? I hear the fin keel W33 is pretty good, just not so sure about the bilge-keeler. We could accept a bit of loss of pointing ability etc as long as it's not a complete dog....

 

[PaulRainbow]

I have a fin keel Discus, same hull as the W33, and she sails very well. Forget the nonsense you'll hear from some of the newer boat brigade about them needing a gale to get going. Not sailed a bilge keel version, but i doubt it would be a complete dog.

What i really wanted to comment on was the engine. If the still has the original engine it should be a Mercedes OM636, which, if looked after, will last pretty much forever. Plenty of parts still available, you can even buy a complete recon engine.

 

[Concerto]

As PaulRainbow says, they sail pretty well. I know of several owners of W33's with a ketch rig and bilge keel. They love the sea handling capabilities, even though they are not as fast a more modern boat, but with well set sails you will be pleased with a W33.
W33 - Westerly-Wiki
The Westerly 33 and Discus - Westerly-Wiki

You can join the Westerly Owners Association forum for free and ask detailed questions there on the W33. Stay Safe! Your 3327 friends at WOA To join as a full member is only £17.50 and one of the major benefits is the group insurance policy with Navigators and General which has additional free cover and a 10% discount - which is larger than the membership fee.
Join / Renew WOA Membership

Our current WOA Commodore has a Discus, which is the same hull, which he has owned for a long time. Personally I have not sailed a W33, but have a Fulmar, so I do meet a lot of other Westerly owners at our rallies. The general concensus is the W33 and derivatives are fine boats in all forms.

 

[dankilb]

Our family has owned the same Berwick (essentially a W31) from new and she has bilge keels. Points to windward comparatively well, not slow (not fast either!), doesn’t slam and is generally very sea-kindly.

Laurent Giles and Westerly did a great job of designing a range where the bilge keels really weren’t much of a penalty.

Of course, if you don’t need to dry out - the fins perform better.

No known issues. The layout isn’t as desirable as the discuss… I always wondered about converting one to a walkthrough! But some love the separate aft cabin for kids, storage, mini-workshop, etc.

 

[NealB]

About fifteen years ago, Joscelyn and I bought a bilge-keeled Westerly Discus, in Sibari (in the arch of the foot of Italy), and sailed her back to the UK (via the middle of France).

We thought she was a great boat.

We hit some fairly heavy breezes, and she didn't give us a moment's worry.

Her OM 636 was always reassuringly reliable and hassle-free.

She sailed pretty well. We didn't sail against, say, a fin-keeled Discus or W33, but I'd guess that the difference is fairly marginal, in relaxed cruising mode.

She was very easy to handle under power, and to park, in awkward marina berths.

dankilb, in #4, is right: Laurent Giles and Westerly did a great job.

We've had a bilge-keeled Westerly Falcon for the last few years. Again, for our sort of cruising, the bilge keels don't cause us any embarrassment on the performance front.

 

[brian.campbell]

As PaulRainbow says, they sail pretty well. I know of several owners of W33's with a ketch rig and bilge keel. They love the sea handling capabilities, even though they are not as fast a more modern boat, but with well set sails you will be pleased with a W33.
W33 - Westerly-Wiki
The Westerly 33 and Discus - Westerly-Wiki

You can join the Westerly Owners Association forum for free and ask detailed questions there on the W33. Stay Safe! Your 3327 friends at WOA To join as a full member is only £17.50 and one of the major benefits is the group insurance policy with Navigators and General which has additional free cover and a 10% discount - which is larger than the membership fee.
Join / Renew WOA Membership

Our current WOA Commodore has a Discus, which is the same hull, which he has owned for a long time. Personally I have not sailed a W33, but have a Fulmar, so I do meet a lot of other Westerly owners at our rallies. The general concensus is the W33 and derivatives are fine boats in all forms.

They’re really useful and reassuring replies, thanks. Doesn’t sound much to worry about for us. We need a large and stable solid yacht, not a racer!

 

[brian.campbell]

I have a fin keel Discus, same hull as the W33, and she sails very well. Forget the nonsense you'll hear from some of the newer boat brigade about them needing a gale to get going. Not sailed a bilge keel version, but i doubt it would be a complete dog.

What i really wanted to comment on was the engine. If the still has the original engine it should be a Mercedes OM636, which, if looked after, will last pretty much forever. Plenty of parts still available, you can even buy a complete recon engine.

Yes engine is original, which was a bit of a worry I have to say. Engine looks in good nick howver, and has had substantial servicing and maintenance, so your reply is reassuring thanks.

 

[Concerto]

They’re really useful and reassuring replies, thanks. Doesn’t sound much to worry about for us. We need a large and stable solid yacht, not a racer!

Glad to be able to help.