Westerly Oceanlord review/opinions

[Stevie_T]

Can anybody point me in the direction of a review of this boat or anybody with cruising experience on one give an unbiased opinion.
I am considering one as a long distance cruiser for my wife and I but a unsure of her seakeeping abilities and how solid she is in heavy weather?

Thanks

 

[Robin]

Yachting Monthly did a comprehensive test and back copies are available, I know because we were interested in them too, but ended up with our Jeanneau Sun Legende.

I rather like them, very nice down below especially but there are some things I was less keen on:-

Most were made with in-mast reefing. Personal preference this but I prefer slab reefing and when we were looking there was only one available (and at a silly price)

Teak decks on Oceanlords are a disaster! They were not solid teak but teak faced and they delaminate. We saw one where the deck had been replaced with the proper stuff at a cost of nearly £25,000, though that did include other jobs done at the same time whilst all the deck fittings, hatches, mast etc were removed. We actually didn't want teak decks anyway and the standard Oceanlord had either Westerly deck paint (fine by me) or Treadmaster which would have been my preference. Three of the five we looked at had teak decks, one was the one with replacement deck and the other two badly needed it, but the asking price didn't reflect it. One broker told me it could be 'fixed relatively easily at no too much cost'!!!

The standard engine was a Volvo 2003 Turbo. I personally think the 2000 series Volvos were pretty poor and many had problems, gearbox shaft spline wear being one to watch. However some will have been re-engined by now which for me would be a definite plus point.

In case that sounds all anti, they are good long distance cruisers and liveaboards, you just need to pick the right one for your needs at the right price.

 

[Stevie_T]

Thanks Robin a comprehensive answer, I have to agree with you re in mast furling, not for me.
I have heard about the teak decks, I beleve the life can be lengthened if delaminating by either screwing down or by injecting epoxy, although I will avoid them altogether if possible.
Re the Volvo's I was never keen on them much preferring Yanmar's.

Thanks again

 

[Robin]

[ QUOTE ]
I have heard about the teak decks, I beleve the life can be lengthened if delaminating by either screwing down or by injecting epoxy

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure how that could possibly work. When I say delaminating I mean they were not solid teak which is normally the case, but just plywood with a thin teak face. I was told that Westerly bought the panels in as 'kits', foredeck panel, coachroof panel, sidedeck panels and so on, and then stuck them down with a sealant. I believe PBO ran an article by one owner who took his boat to Turkey to have the job done there, much cheaper labour!

 

[tcm]

fairly flippin decent i think. There is a hugely overspecc'd and underpriced 96/7 version with cobalt blue/light oak interior knocking around - buy this one immediately.

 

[irishmark]

i seem to remember the Boss the sail training crowd use one, was on it inthe carribean last year. It went over in the arc etc....think they have been useing it on the ARC run for a few years

 

[john_morris_uk]

The Oceanlord was the Sealord with a sugar scoop added plus a slight change to the aft cabin layout. pm me if you want a chat - I've sailed both and we bought our Sealord with a view to long distance cruising in a year or two.

 

[burgundyben]

absolutely right, that's exactly what it was, a 39 foot fulmar with a extra 2 foot sugar scoop, well built, solid boat, I sailed two, one with in mast furling which is crap (and who wants to put all that weight up the rig if you get caught out)and the second with twin spreader mast head rig, infact, I did a windy round the island on it and it was a most pleasant blast.

 

[Stevie_T]

Thanks all for the helpful and mainly positive comments.
Robin, re fixing the teak deck down, I was looking at buying a Sigma 41 which has (Ibelieve) exactly the same type of laminate teak deck, ie thin layer glued onto ply.

Another owner suggested injecting epoxy round the edges, I had the Sigma surveyed and the surveyor suggested drilling holes, screwing down and recoring to extend the life of the decks for a few years, though ultimately it would of course require replacement eventually.

John Morris I shall PM you for a chat

 

[dansar]

Hi
Sailed an Oceanlord from Scotland to Canary Islands and return with no problems. Before trip fitted a Hydrovane self steering system which prooved to be a very useful "3rd crew member". On this vessel the decks started to delaminate after 5 years. The Volvo gave no probems but would suggest a check on the gearbox shaft spline--a few seemed to escape this problem but well worth the cost of inspection if not already done. In mast furling worked a treat. Seakeeping abilities IMO are ok although they do tend to roll alot with a following sea. Experienced a west F8 to 9 in Biscay with no difficulties. The galley could have more fiddles. Good spacious saloon. Have spoken to numerous owners who highly recommend them for long distance cruising. I know of one Oceanlord which completed a round the world cruise.

Hope this reply helps in some way.

David