Westerly GK24

Judders

Judders

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Any thoughts on the above.

I am quite keen, I have read many favourable reports and I think I can live with the lack of headroom, that said, I have never sailed one.

I have come accross one at a price I can afford although I am a long way from making an offer.

What thoughts, experiances etc do Scuttlebutters have of them?
 
Good fun. They were never competitive as quarter tonners but their owners and crews grew very fond of them. Likely to be very well shagged by now unless they've had loads of TLC. If memory serves - possibly not - there were fractional (racy) and masthead (cruisy) versions (or was that the GK29?).

If you buy one, you realise it'll have to have a suitable GK name. My favourite of the time was Gnut Kracker.
 
Well, I've bought one twice - on the way up and on the way down.

First time round (in the 80s/90s) it was used as family cruiser shared between my father and later myself and often sailed with 4 adults on board (how??? - can't imagine doing it now) with many Channel crossings and sails down Biscay to Les Sables, Belle Ilse etc. I even spent a six week honeymoon on it.

Second time around we got rid of our larger boat to do more hot weather chartering but wanted a cheap boat to jump onto and sail whenever we felt like between charters, without feeling guilty if we were too busy and left it for ages.

Downs - 4' 6" headroom and dark cabin with it's slit-like windows. Heels a lot, and I mean a lot. Slams a bit in Solent waves but fine outside. Old. Too heavily built to win races against the minimal accommadation type 25 foot modern racers.

Ups - still sails like a dream, pointing well and responsive. Laughably easy to hoist the main compared to bigger boats - feels like a hankerchief lifted by a piece of string. Strong. Best of all is that the boat will take you wherever you point it in almost any conditions without you ever worrrying about the boat having problems - although it'll tire you out in the process. Cheap to buy, cheap to run as everything that can break down already has.

(Unofficial) class racing available.

See www.gk24.org
 
I agree with all the above, a lovely boat to sail and cruise in, just a shame about the lack of headroom. One still does well at Burnham week in the "gentleman's class". I know all boats of that age suffer from high moisture levels but I think they are particularly prone to it.

Another boat for the same sort of money is the Sonata which sails as well but has a bit more headroom.
 
And I reckon the E-Boat is a similar proposition and a few of those about for decent pennies. Don't know if it's up for grabs, but a gorgeous one was going near here recently. (Ad in ST, boat in Suffolk, if ad of actual one).
 
[ QUOTE ]


Another boat for the same sort of money is the Sonata which sails as well but has a bit more headroom.

[/ QUOTE ] And probably in better nick, has a strong class racing field and has strong sailmaker support.
 
Try this one then. Hunter Europa
The balls ache is that this is the very boat I looked at on the lake which set me off on a fruitless search for a Europa. I bought a Foxcub instead. In fact I now think I did the right thing as the Foxcub has more lolling space in the cockpit and has flatter aft sections.
This one is without a trailer, but it is in good nick and half the price of some dodgy ones I looked at late last year. It is also for sale at Ferry Nab for £1550 so that is a realistic 1st bid on e-bay.
 
I like "Get Knotted". I see it around the Solent sometimes...

Chentlemen do it standing up, which is kinda difficult below stairs in one of these.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I like "Get Knotted". I see it around the Solent sometimes...

Chentlemen do it standing up, which is kinda difficult below stairs in one of these.

[/ QUOTE ]

If it's the same one, I used to sale her out of Abersoch with her skipper, Nigel Anderton. Did quite a lot ISORA races.. this was nearly 30 years ago!

Saw`her in Liverpool in 1993 and couldnt believe that 4 of us lived down below for a week at a time - I think three of us pulled in Howth, if I remember correctly <g>

Ahh... memories!

Richard
 
Yes there was, I think in the Solent, but spelt as one word, GimcracK.

That was fairly appropriate, but the silliest I saw was GinantoniK, which didn't really suit that style of boat.
 
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