Westerly Konsort v Merlin

I dare say there'll be more informed opinion, but the Merlin is a more modern design, although a bit cramped in parts (the forward end of the saloon berths for example. She also sails a lot better and will certainly stand up to bad weather. The Konsort is a bit dated below but has a lot of space, largely thanks to a beamy design. Thd forecabin berth is famously huge - as broad as it's long. Still a very popular boat and if you needs lots of room, a good buy. If you prefer the accomodation of the Merlin, take a look at a Tempest. Much more space for similar money.
 
SimonD said:
I dare say there'll be more informed opinion, but the Merlin is a more modern design, although a bit cramped in parts (the forward end of the saloon berths for example. She also sails a lot better and will certainly stand up to bad weather. The Konsort is a bit dated below but has a lot of space, largely thanks to a beamy design. Thd forecabin berth is famously huge - as broad as it's long. Still a very popular boat and if you needs lots of room, a good buy. If you prefer the accomodation of the Merlin, take a look at a Tempest. Much more space for similar money.
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Bigger perhaps, but is it as good a boat?

PS
Read http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-51469.html for comments on layout.
 
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scotty123 said:
Bigger perhaps, but is it as good a boat?
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I'm a afraid you'll need to define "good" before anyone can answer that. Good at thrashing to windward in a blow? Probably not. Good at accomodating a wet labrador in the rain. Almost certainly yes. In other words, it depends what you want from a boat.
 
The Merlin, being a more modern Ed Dubois design, will have considerably better performance than the Konsort which was a Laurent Giles design, it also has the benefit of a separate aft cabin. If you visit the WOA website there's lots of information on both boats and the WOA will also put you in touch with members that have owned or do own the boats, but you may need to join (it's not expensive) to access the latter service. You don't say whether you are looking for a fin keel or bilge keel model; I think you will find that most Konsorts are bilge keel whereas a higher percentage of Merlin were fins. The Tempest has quite an unusual layout, it has twin aft cabins and the heads up in the bow. There are currently 1 bilge and 1 fin keel Tempest on the WOA website. The fin keel boat is in Hamble and looks the best of the two from the description, both are asking between £20 and £25K. There are 3 bilge and one fin keel Konsort asking as low as £15K but the price very much reflects the condition in boats of this age as I am sure you are aware. There is also a Tempest for £25K which looks very tidy from the link. There are also 2 Konsort Duos which have an enclosed wheelhouse which I must say are not my personal cup of tea.
 
I've got a b/k Konsort so I'll tell you what I like/dislike about her.

I doubt you'll find as much internal space in any other 29 footer, standing headroom throughout, loads of locker space, great deep cockpit locker. The cockpit is room enough for 4 adults. The tiller folds up out of the way. I had a look at a 32' Elan at the london boat show and I couldn't believe how pokey it felt in comparison.

My Bukh DV20 hasn't missed a beat in 5 years of ownership very reliable. Access to the engine is excellent. Panels come away in the quarter-berth so you can get at the gearbox and fuel filters.

The side decks are wide and extend right past the cockpit. She's very maneuverable under power and quite happy going astern.

She's not going to go to windward as well as say a sadler 29 which is slimmer but overall she is not slow. Last year I brought her round lands end from Bideford to Topsham, the guy who was helping me had done a trans-atlantic with the ARC and said "this is a bloody good boat".

What I haven't enjoyed so much is sorting out the drooping headlining but that's often an issue with boats of this era.

You can see a lot about the Konsort on the Westerly wiki:

http://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/westerlywiki/index.php?title=Konsort
 
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Just a comment on the tempest as it has been introduced . I owned one of the first for 10 years plus and sailed her 20,000 nm based in Milford Haven .She was the fin/aft cabin version .I sailed her with my young family and we cruised regularly to the Scilly Isles with annual cruises to southern Brittany and two return cruises to north west Spain. I sailed her in winds upto 50knt .
She was a well built strong boat with good performance on and off the wind and with a kind motion at sea .The fiited Volvo 18hp diesel worked well but sailing performance was good enough not to need it much
You may find the Konsort more roomy but it is a bit sluggish and poor to windward.
 
The Lawrence Giles Westerlys had long waterlines and although they will not race to windward, they are perfectly good passage-makers. Some Konsorts may well have dirty great 3bladed props, so this may inhibit sailing performance as well, but they suit a lot of people.
 
I have owned a Konsort for 4 years and regularly sail against and cruise with some friends in a Merlin, both are bilge keel.
The Konsort is a big beamy boat with a huge cockpit, very comfortable and very easy to sail we can sleep 7 and 4 is a confortable number. The Merlin in comparison is much smaller all round I would say that its great for 2 people but after that its getting cosy. The Merlin also sails well and possibly a few degrees higher than the Konsort but there is very little in it, in lighter winds the Merlin is the lighter and therefore faster boat but they will be reefing 1 force before us they reef at about 14knots we reef at 20. I would be happy with either boat, but would prefer the Konsort in heavier seas and bigger winds.
 
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