Westerly Longbow 31'

[tgalea]

Westerly Longbow 31\'

Hi All,

I'm looking at upgrading to a Westerly Longbow. Any feedback would be appreciated about this boat.

Thanks in advance

Tyrone.


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[Athene V30]

Re: Westerly Longbow 31\'

Used to 'sail' in a Westerly Pentland - the bilge keeled ketch version. We covered a lot of miles in relative comfort however sailing performance was not stunning. It all depends on what you want!

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[Bodach na mara]

Re: Westerly Longbow 31\'

I have a Renown (fin keel, aft cabin) and am well pleased with the performance and delighted with the accommodation. I sought out the Renown because I wanted the aft cabin but if I were to choose again, I would go for any of the four versions. The sailing of the fin keel may be better than the bilge keel (Berwick and Pentland) but they both seem to sail pretty well too. With the after cabin you have a great storage facility (rubber dinghy, toolboxes, seat cushions, spare wood, workbench etc) but the aft cockbit version (Longbow) has a better main cabin. I have never met anyone using the aft cabin as a cabin! I think they are all great value at the prices that are being asked.

(By the way, Wight Dawn is NOT for sale!)

<hr width=100% size=1>Ken Johnson

 

[Seafort]

Re: Westerly Longbow 31\'

I see you are a bit far away to come for a sail in sunny Essex on mine/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

I find she sails and handles well (fin keel) with a light tiller and no appreciable w/l helm. Handles well in the marina too thanks to a "Beta" 28hp. Engines vary so I considered myself lucky finding a Longbow/Beta setup.

I am v.happy with the saloon and its standing headroom throughout (even the forecabin) but Bequia has new(ish) upholstery, thick foam and cloth uppers.
There is plenty of storage space, so much so that I don't use it all but would still need a Transit van to move it all at once. There's plenty of room in the cockpit too.

The only real niggle I have is sailing in light winds....."I" keep getting the genoa sheet knot caught on the babystay, well she is knew to me/forums/images/icons/wink.gif

The survey said the hull was "wet" but nothing I would worry about at the moment.

Go for it and enjoy.

Dave.



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[howardclark]

Re: Westerly Longbow 31\'

Had a bilge keel Berwick for seven years - only really sold her cos with 6 family + dog we needed a bigger boat. Things I would watch out for
Hull -if it hasn't had osmosis treatment will probably need it eventually but hulls are very solid build.
If original volvo engine watch out - cost of spares and servicing are ridiculous. I have a policy now of warning all-comers that Volvo are a rip off. Make sure engine is fully surveyed and if any major work likely in next few years budget to change engine (to another make!)
Headlining - standard problem in forepeak/quarter berths - bloody annoying and difficult to DIY replace neatly. Check cost of professional job.
Windows - for some of the later years the final treatment on the windows was suspect - again difficult to replace or make look OK.

good points are
v. safe even in a blow,
if rigged correctly well balanced
not to difficult to sell again at a later date
good Westerly owners group for advice
decent storage & accomodation


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[tgalea]

Re: Westerly Longbow 31\'

Thank-you for your reply.

Actually, the information i have regarding the hull is that it showed some sign of osmosis and was "treated". What would you make out of this ? If my surveyor certfies the hull as ok would you still go ahead with it ?

Regarding the engine; the one installed is a VOLVO MDB2 (25HP). Would a volvo engineer be able to do some checks as to engine conditon without removing the engine and dismantlying etc ?

Any help you can offer is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance & Regards
Tyrone Galea

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[howardclark]

Re: Westerly Longbow 31\'

You should really get a survey done and include engine in the survey.
At this age the hulls generally show small 'pock-marking' - if treated the gel coat should have been removed, the hull dried out and epoxied. The surveyor should be able to comment on the standard of the work.
Engines are more difficult - an engineer or surveyor can listen, do compression tests, look at exhaust smoke and look for obvious problems. At the cost which you would pay a Volvo engineer to strip it down, it would not be worthwhile.

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