Westerly Ocean - Long Distance Cruising

[LinTeal]

Thinking of taking a fin keel 1998 Westerly Ocean 33 across Biscay and down to the Algarve and maybe further next year.Any thoughts as to sea keeping abilities assuming we hit bad weather compared with other makes such as Sadler 34/Starlight etc.
Thanks

 

[woody001]

Never sailed one...but myself I wouldnt question her sea keeping abilities.....she will look after you.

 

[nigelhudson]

The hull is a development of the Storm 33 but the Ocean is, by all accounts, better balanced. Based upon my experience with a Storm they are more comfortable and faster when sailed upright due to the stability provided by the hull shape. Provided you reef early and don't sail it constantly on the rail you will be fine. The hull is fairly flat ahead of the keel so you can get slamming when beating into sea - no particular problem but it keeps the crew awake! Never been out in anything worse than F7 but always felt that the limitation was me and not the boat.

 

[jonic]

I took a Westerly Corsair (36ft) half way around the world. Always felt safe and well looked after. Good strong build.

 

[CalmSkipper]

Yachting Monthly (November) has some good stuff on crossing the Bay of Biscay - might be worth a read

 

[Ocean Hound]

Took my Storm across 3 yrs ago - got the weather wrong and had 50 knots over the mast for longer than I would have liked but she handled it really well. Logged 175nm in one 24hr spell!
NW coast of Spain good cruising ground and unspoilt. The Galacian Rias well worth some extended cruising. Now in the Lotus land of the Algarve but not after having had a virtual knockdown just off Cape St Vincent when the wind went from 20knots to 40 in as many seconds and increased to 60 at one point. Beware all the Capes on that coastline, the windspeed almost doubles off the main ones. One point I have found is that 33ft is probably too small if you want to spend some extended time aboard, so I'm looking to sell and go up to a 40+ ft. PM me if you want a chat