Westerly J24 or GK24??

[Force10]

Hello all,

I am very new to this forum, so if this has been covered before, I do apologise.

I was wondering if any of you had any opinions re Westerly J24 or GK24 as fast cruising boats? Also, I have heard that one of them, maybe both is available as a shallow fin keeler?

Would the shallow fin keel detract in any way to performance?

 

[philip_stevens]

If you sign up to the Westerly Owners discussion list or the Web Forum, you can get all sorts of information about the two boats.

The GK24 is shown as a fin keel and shoal draft here, but I don't see anything of a Westerly J24.

 

[mikejames]

Westerly did make the J/24 after the GK24 according to the Westerly Story book from 1979 to 1981.

I doubt there are many J/24's out there that are equipped for cruising, compared with the majority of the GK24's. OTOH the J/24 is still in production but the newest GK24 is about 26 years old now.

Yes there was a GK/24 shoal draught keel which was 4'3" as opposed to 5' . I think it had the same centre of gravity as the full depth keel so it doesnt make too much difference: the 5' keel was IOR defined (tapered, no bulb) with a high COG , the 4'3" was for cruising with less taper.
The J/24 was designed purely to sail fast. The J/24 is lighter than the GK (1200 vs about 1800kg) . The cockpit on J/24's is more exposed than the GK, partly because the bridgedeck design was extended to prevent sinking when knocked down while racing in the 1970's. So there's less space to put your legs, and no coaming on the J/24. The GK 24 was built to the quarter ton formula but ended up fairly heavy (cruiser influence) compared with other designs quite soon after introduction. So it became a club racer rather than an international class.

Another key difference is that all J/24 will have outboards. Ok in a harbour but it will spend some time in the air in the open sea.
Some GK24's have diesel (or petrol) inboards. If you can get one go for it. Even replacing an engine will be cheaper than fitting one from scratch.

I bought a GK24 (Yanmar inboard diesel , 5 foot fin) for its volume/price ratio being the biggest hull under £7k at the brokers on a given day then discovered it was a pretty good sailing boat as well.

 

[Sui Generis]

An excellent precis IMHO.

I have raced and watched both but owned neither; my opinion is that for cruising the GK24 would undoubtedly be my choice, and for racing the J24.
If you push the J24 hard, put the washboards in cos they can fill up. I also remember a GK24 that crossed the channel (Helford - L'Aber Wrac'h) in an 8 when we turned back in a UFO 34. They were damp but there; I'm glad I wasn't on board but the boat proved herself.

Edit - PS Force 10 Welcome to the forum!

 

[Force10]

Many thanks for your excellent analysis! and to all that replied. I enjoyed your GK24 website, lots of info there. Much to ponder on.

 

[Ecosse120]

You might also consider an e-boat, they are slightly smaller but do have a lifting keel. More details on the e-boat assoc. website. Tend to be a bit cheaper than either the GK24 or J24.

 

[Georgio]

I used to have a GK24 and both raced and cruised her, I think she is probably a better bet for you as the J24 is great round the cans but I wouldn't really want to cruise one. Mine only had a 4hp outboard but I sailed her as far as Scotland and once did a trip from St Vaast to the Needles in 9 hours with 30kts of breeze.

A lot of boat for the money - you won't regret it!

Hope this helps.