Westerly Pentland

[shirazchaz]

I've been asked to look at a Westerly Pentland for a prospective purchaser (family......). I've got the survey which is pretty much as I'd expect for a boat almost 50 years old. I would be grateful for any insights from current or previous owners as to the more subtle issues that arise. Thanks in advance.

 

[VicS]

I've been asked to look at a Westerly Pentland for a prospective purchaser (family......). I've got the survey which is pretty much as I'd expect for a boat almost 50 years old. I would be grateful for any insights from current or previous owners as to the more subtle issues that arise. Thanks in advance.

I crewed a Berwick for many years. Same boat without the aft cabin

Gas system is a long way off modern standards unless its been ungraded with a decent gas bottle locker
and electrics rubbish unless upgraded
but both of these should have been covered by the survey

Hopefully the original engine has been replaced with something nice and a little more powerful than the MD11C that was probably the original

Take care not to bend the rudder stock ... easily done fi you run aground ... always lash the tiller centrally if drying out.

Otherwise pretty nearly bullet proof

 

[JumbleDuck]

The Westerly Owners' Association has a wiki page about the Pentland at Pentland - Westerly-Wiki. Not a huge amount of detail, so worth looking at the Berwick, Longbow and Renown pages too.

I had a 1976 Westerly, and it seems that a common feature on Westerlies of that sort of age is a curious rash in the gel coat. Small circles about 2 - 3mm in diameter appear and after a while a small dished piece falls out, leaving dents about 1 - 2mm deep. It's not osmosis and it doesn't seem to be at all harmful - I gather it's due to poor mixing of the gel coat when originally applied. So if you see anything like that, don't worry!

 

[Humblebee]

The Westerly Owners' Association has a wiki page about the Pentland at Pentland - Westerly-Wiki. Not a huge amount of detail, so worth looking at the Berwick, Longbow and Renown pages too.

I had a 1976 Westerly, and it seems that a common feature on Westerlies of that sort of age is a curious rash in the gel coat. Small circles about 2 - 3mm in diameter appear and after a while a small dished piece falls out, leaving dents about 1 - 2mm deep. It's not osmosis and it doesn't seem to be at all harmful - I gather it's due to poor mixing of the gel coat when originally applied. So if you see anything like that, don't worry!

That's interesting, Jumbleduck. You've described areas of my Longbow's gelcoat perfectly. I might get round to filling them and repainting the hll one of these days but have fallen well behind in maintenance this year, as I imagine many have.
Anyway, for the OP, this is where to look for more information. Cheap to join and always helpful.
– Stay safe! Your 3160 friends at WOA

 

[Graham376]

Check the keel stubs for any stress cracking, particularly if it has been on a drying mud mooring.