Westerly GK29

[cngarrod]

Hi,

Am thinking about this as my 1st sail boat (am a motor boater at the min!) - the one in question has been used as a cruiser for the last 12 years or so, but raced before then.

I know they were designed as a racer, but what are peoples thoughts on her as a 1st Sail boat?

Assume that from an accomodation perspective that it is fine, i am more concerned about how easy / hard it is to sail and so on!

Thanks in advance,

Craig.

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[philip_stevens]

Go to the Westerly Owners website, <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/html/discussion_list.html>http://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/html/discussion_list.html</A> and join their discussion group. Then ask that question to "them that knows".



<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[Jacket]

I've got the samller GK24 (almost identical hull shape, just shrunk down) and love it. I've sailed it to Finland and back effectively singlehanded (ie. with various non sailing friends), in all sorts of weather and never once had a worry. They're surprisingly fast- in light winds I regularly sail past boats of 30 foot or more, and reasonably comfortable in stronger winds, as they're a bit heavier than more recent boats. They also track well, thanks to the narrowinsh stern, and a skeg just in front of the rudder.

The only real problem I've had (which I'm told the GK29 also suffers from) is that its rather flexible around the keel. This isn't a structural worry, but does mean that you can get some leakage around the keel bolts when beating into steep waves. Not too much of a worry- the keelbolts are stainless steel, so its just a case of squeezing some mastic into the keel/hull join each winter to minimise the leakage. the headlining will also probably need replacing if it hasn't already been done- this is a problem common to all westerlies.

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[Athene V30]

Chartered one about 20 years ago for a week and loved it. Sailed from Alderney in a F5 arriving at Isle of Wight in a F6/7 on the beam and she flew!

The only problem we had was the engine emptying all its oil into the bilge one day - but that is maintenance not design!

Have fun.

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[Peppermint]

Re: I raced one when they were new.

Are you looking at the deep keel big rig or the more cruising one?

Either way you've got a boat that punches way above its weight on most points of sailing. Just the racy one requires a bit more concentration. Large amounts of space below and the layout works well at sea. They can get a bit rolly down wind if it blows and you can get a bit wet thrashing one to windward but they'll get you through most things you'll meet weather wise.

Pretty vice free under power too.

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[cngarrod]

Re: I raced one when they were new.

Thanks - appreciate your honest opinion!

I am unsure as to which one it is, the details sy it displaces about 6,900 lbs and they mention the "Family Racer" if that helps? Is there a way to know by looking?

Will let you know how i get on.

Cheers,

Craig.

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[cngarrod]

Thank you for input - i see you are not that far away from me.

Will let you know how i get on.

Cheers,

Craig.

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[marina95]

Craig,

I have a GK29 after downsizing from a 36 footer last year. I have been amazed at how spacious she is down below and her sailing performance is excellent.

Things to watch out for are:-

1. Keel to hull interface - as previously mentioned they are known to be a little flexible in this area. Many boats (including mine) have been modified with a strengthening.

2. Chain plate movement - check carefully for stress cracking, an indication that the boat may have had some hard racing use.

3. Fuel tank. The original Westerly tanks were mild steel and many owners have had to replace these as they rot without regular maintenance.

4. Rudder bearings. These can break down.

Couple of places to go for help (you won't find a lot on the Westerly Owners forum):-

http://www.gk29.org.uk
http://www.westerly-yachts.co.uk/

Hope this helps and a recommendation here from a very happy GK29 owner.


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[beancounter]

Sailing Today did a very favourable "used boat" test on the GK29 a couple of months ago (sorry I can't remember which month - I'll look it up when I get home).
The tester had been so impressed with the boat that she bought it.

John

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[cngarrod]

Hi John,

If you have it - i dont suppose you could fax it to me could you????

0870 169 4914

If you cant dont worry, i will order it from back issues...

Thanks,

Craig.

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[KnotNick]

Hey Craig,

Sorry for the delayed response - forgot my login details!

Thought I'd add my ha'penny-worth as a very pleased owner of a GK... Mine is the first yacht I've owned (had a couple of Enterprise dinghies before that) and apart from some troubles I've had with her engine (original Petter Mini-Twin that had seen better days) she's been a great deal of fun.

Upwind they'll give many more "modern" cruisers a serious fright, the GK will sail up to 35 degrees to the wind without much loss of pace - however, crack off a bit and watch with growing amusement as the 32 footer to windward starts pulling bits of string and looking puzzled as you cream past.

Reefing early pays dividends, unless you really want an upper-body workout - the rudder has a fair amount of blade in the water and you get plenty of "feedback" in the gusts! Reefing the main down and dropping the traveller will take the effort out however. Well reefed, I've bashed to windward in F6 gusting 7 and she handled like a dream - gets to about 30 deg. heel and then stiffens up and goes no further (until I guess the rudder loses grip and she rounds up - but I've not had that happen so...)

Under engine she's equally well behaved, the original Petter is a little underpowered (Or at least mine was - I'm in the process of installing a Beta 13.5) and will give a (often useful) prop-kick to port initially - but she steers nicely astern after that.

As is mentioned elsewhere, the interior really is one of the most amazing points for a boat of this period. Six foot head room, 5 decent berths (forget what you read about the saloon double - you need two very small, very friendly people in the crew to make that work!) and a seperate (though cramped) heads, together with decent engine access, a dedicated chart table, and a cockpit locker that I have never yet been able to fill makes for a boat that will always attract "blimey - it's like a Tardis" style commentary from everyone who comes aboard.

So, she's fast, fun, easily tamed, remarkably spacious - and hopefully you've already bought one, if not, as a first time yacht-owner myself, I heartily recommend them...

In addition to the "Things to look out for" list elsewhere...

* Get a survey - mine turned up Osmosis - fixable and knocked a bundle off the price...
* Get one with a replaced engine or get the old one looked over by a qualified marine diesel engineer (though you may have a better handle on engines than me!)
* Watch out for flexing stanchion bases - if she's been raced the spinaker pole "sits" on the guardrails and tends to put pressure on the stanchions.
* I second the point about diesel tanks - I've had to rip mine out and replace.

And last to answer the Racer vs Cruiser question: The "Family Racer" is the crusing version - Shorter deck-stepped mast and iron keel versus the Half-Tonner with a longer keel-stepped mast and a deeper lead keel. Also the Crusier only came with Primary and Halyard winches (no seperate Spinnaker winches) although many of the Cruiser versions have had these fitted later.

Let me know what you do/have done - it's always good to keep in touch with other GKs!!

Nick



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