Westerly Pentland ketch v Sadler 29

[Valiant18]

Finally have narrowed down boats I am looking at to these.

Either would have to be bilge keel and would be kept on drying mooring. Main use weekend sailing, family/mates, solent. Would like to go further afield - channel islands etc in due course.

Whilst I intend to be very thorough in looking at any candidates - including sea trial - I wonder what your views are on the respective pros and cons of each are, particularly in terms of sailing characteristics?

Many thanks.



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[Badger]

I think you will find the Sadler 29 is the better performer as she was designed as high performance cruising yacht with her lines drawn by David Sadler from much racing experience.Her high ballast to displacement ratio and low centre of gravity means she stands up well to her powerful sail plan. She also has a proper chart table and a nice traditonal layout down below.

I would argue that the Westerly Pentland ketch is a very different kettle of fish.Without being rude, it's not from the Westerly "high performance" stable. Your Sadler 29 crew will be in the bar in the Divers in Alderney whilst the pentland is still crossing the shipping lanes. You are not really comparing apples with apples.

What's the thinking behind your choices ?

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[Sybarite]

Three suggestions :

Charter different types of boats before you buy. I had great ideas about one type of boat until I saw that it sailed like a cow.

Once you have virtually decided and fixed a budget, look again to see what is available on the market at the same price. You might find that you can get more for your money.

Widen your geographic horizons. Last week I was looking at a certain model of boat (English built). There were three available, all same age and approximately the same spec. The English boat was more than 50% more than the two models in the US. Also living in France I always find second hand boat prices in the UK very high despite the exchange rate change.

John



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[pvb]

Agreed...

I bought a Westerly Pentland Ketch in '78, and it was a nice solid lump of British boatbuilding, but it was never very quick or able. Reassuring for a relative novice, but not very inspiring. I bought it after having a trial sail from the Sales Centre which Westerly then had at Bradwell Marina. The trial was on 5 November 1977 and it was freezing cold and gusting F8. The demonstration guy was brilliant, and we took the boat out into the Blackwater for an hour or two. My wife and I were so cold we had to sit in the car afterwards with the heater on full before we could talk properly again. We kept the Pentland for 5 years and it never scared us, but equally it never really thrilled us.

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[Valiant18]

Thinking behind choices:

* Both have high ballast ratio - Pentland higher than Sadler
* Both roughly same price range - Pentland's maybe a bit less (on the face of it)
* Whilst Pentland much heavier, also longer lwl so thought it might compensate for poorer sailing performance per say against the Sadler (about 2 foot less lwl)
* Being honest, virtually all my sailing is going to be local choppy Solent - maybe the Pentland's heavier displacement will mean a steadier motion & a nicer cruise - I am definiltey a cruising sailor - not interested in racing
* Pentland gives option of extra crew along with its aft cabin

Thanks for your comments


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[max]

I have owned a Westerly Pentland Ketch for five years ( had a Centaur before that). Never sailed a Sadler, but can endorse the view that the Pentland is a superb family cruising boat with a remarkable amount of space. Heavy, yes, but good as a result in heavier weather. Given a steady 4-5 on a broad reach she trots along at 6-6.5knots. Never given me a fright (yet) and small enough and sufficiently easy to handle to sail (and perhaps more importantly, park) single-handed. The ketch rig is obviously more flexible than sloop rig.

I now sail in the solent and am glad of the weight given the hideous chop.

PM me if you want to know any more.

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[Twister_Ken]

There are similarities in price and size, but that's where it stops. The two boats are chalk and charcoal. The Sadler is a fast, comfortable, passage maker that is rewarding to sail. The Westerly is a marine cottage with the ability to get you there in the end.



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[mikeb]

I have no knowledge of the Pentland but I had a Sadler 29 as my first boat for 4 seasons - it is a great boat to sail having fair speed but also gives a great sense of security, I think accomodation is good for its size.

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[max]

This isn't a case of one good - one bad. The Westerly is slower . It's also a comfortable passagemaker, that is predictable and uneventful to sail (ie no unpleasent surprises), and will get you there safely in weather you shouldn't have been out in. Racer she certainly ain't.

The Sadler is a lovely boat too and clearly offers sharper performance, with less space and less weight.

Doesn't it rather depend on what kind of sailing you are after.



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[billmacfarlane]

I owned a bilge keel Sadler 29 for 5 years and have sailed a Pentland more than once. I don't want to repeat the already good info but if you're worried about coping with a Solent chop then both boats will cope easily and comfortably. I will need to disagree about some of the comments re the Sadler's speed. She has a waterline/displacement ratio of nearly 300 which puts her very firmly in the cruiser class. Both are a doddle to sail, the Sadler being a much more rewarding boat to helm, though short tacking with the Sadler's large headsail can be a pain. Stowage on the Sadler is poor, I can't remember what the Pentland's like. One word of warning re sailing the Sadler - keep her upright when sailing to windward or the slamming of the weather keel will drive you mad.

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[Sybarite]

Aopolgies if anyone is listening.

My 50% more comment was wrong. I have seen the ad again and they are advertising in euros instead of £ as I had thought.

I stick by my comment though of looking around for a good deal.

John

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