westerly pentland

landaftaf

landaftaf

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thinking of getting one ...... /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
my choice is constrained by compromises so a westerly pentland seems to fit the bill - any comments on the class (sensible ones preferred), I know they are slow ....
any personal experiences ? anything to look out for ? anything especially in their favour ....
it will probably be for lazy cruising and loaning out to family/friends ..... so a chunky one built like a brick shitehouse is the answer methinks
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tnx but
been there to view already but I dont think I would get a completly unbiased view
its my next stop for posting though

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Chunky...

You're right, the Pentland is chunky and quite sturdily built. I bought one in 1978 and it gave me 5 years of pleasurable weekending. It felt safe and secure and didn't throw any surprises, which was ideal for me as I'd only been sailing a couple of years. Mine was a ketch rig, which at the time wasn't a bad idea for short-handed sailing, but I wouldn't recommend a ketch now as sail-handling systems are so much better. The aft cabin is rather compact, and is quite separate from the rest of the boat so it's good for kids, visitors or storage.

The Pentland is the bilge keel version, if you don't want to go exploring creeks you might look instead for the Renown which is identical except for a fin keel (but still only drawing 1.4m). There were 2 choices for the galley position, aft or midships.

I still have the original sales brochure which has the full specs - if you'd like to see it, just PM me with your email address and I'll send you scans.



PS Mine was £19500 new in 78, inc loads of extras. I bought a new 4-bed detached house in Essex the same year for £22000. Don't times change!
 
I have sailed a Berwick quite a bit. Good solid boat and not as slow as you seem to think. Accomodation is not as good as it could have been perhaps. The whole range: Renown Longbow Berwick and Pentland, is sometimes criticised as being bigger versions of the Centaur and its sisters when Westerly could have produced something better as well as bigger.

I also sailed the ketch version way way back but have no particular comments about that except that you have a mast in the middle of the cockpit and wheel steering. I also dislike the design ot the pupit on these as it overhangs the water at the bow and needs a stiffener down to the stem head fitting at the end of its little bowsprit. The position of the bow roller there is also a poor feature.

I have no experience of the aft cabin versions but I assume you have your reasons for being interested in that paticular option. I may be wrong but I think the main cabin is smaller. There were different cabin layouts, about which you will have to make up your own mind. The original chart table, which slid out from the port quarter berth was discarded long ago in favour of a more simple affair to stbd. in order to improve acces to the berth. Some were fitted with a substantial desk to stbd. I also assume you have your reasons for choosing a twin keel boat rather than the fin keeled Renown and Longbow.

The Berwick I sail dates from about 1977 and has been well sailed along the South coast, N France C Islands and once to Spain. It still has all its original standing rigging, most of the original running rigging and the original mains'l. A roller genoa has been added though.

The MD11c is original although we had to do some serious repairs after dropping a valve into a cylinder once. The cooling system has caused some problems more recently. There have been times when the larger engine (MD17c?), which was fitted to some, would have been nice.

The problems which come to mind are corrosion and failure of the A bolts on the shrouds. (Had an observant crew member not noticed we might have lost the mast on one trip.) The ease with which the rudder stock can be bent if run aground. (That doesn't apply to the fin keelers of course), and possibly the risks to the keels if regularly moored on mud. (The Centaur keel syndrone) I have not actually heard Berwicks or Pentlands suffering keel loss like Centaurs though.

I would think that a boat from the range, and with the options on keel types, aft cabin or not, ketch or sloop rig and cabin layouts there are quite a few variations to consider, would satisfy the spec you have given.
 
well - a big thanks to you all ..... it hasnt put me off so far so its still a strong goer ....
maybe if others have anything to add - please feel free, I need plenty of ammo to convince the memsahib

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I owned a Renown for 11 years and only reluctantly sold her when my 16yr old bean pole out grew the aft cabin.Accomodation is ample for up to 5,with plenty of stowage space.The aft cabin was great for the kids as they grew up (and also for crew members with questionable personal hygeine!) It did at times take on the appearance of a garden shed with fenders,fishing tackle warps ,etc just being chucked in.
Mine was re-engined with a perkins 30hp which was more than adequate giving a comfortable cruising speed of 5-6 k. The ketch rig made single handing dead easy,she sailed well under genoa and mizzen alone,and was dry in most seas. Indeed she was solid and well built and could handle more than her share of the rough stuff.
Mine developed osmosis when she was 23 yrs old,which seems about par for the course.
Watch for stress cracks running vertically in the hull at the waterline in the region of the forward bulkhead-a quite common problem I understand.
The other major fault is of course the headlining (common to so many Westerlies of that era and later). Repair never seems to work that satisfactorily and most people either remove and paint or replace with ply panels.Plenty of help and advice on th WOA site re this.
In summary a good solid,safe if not eye turning boat.
 
Comments regarding the headlining will apply to many boats.

On the Westerly 31' range the fo'cs'l is done with one stitched liner which is not a DIY job to renew I fancy. Very early boats I think had the headliner in the main cabin glued up but most have the headliner on removable panels. The sides have the liner glued in place. I see no reason why replacement should not be satisfactory.
 
yo & tnx v much for bringing it up ... I have heard of this common problem which normally occurres earlier on in the lives of the series, and assume (yes always dangerous) than most, if not all boats - being over 30 yrs old, have had remedial action on this problem.

please keep the info coming in ....
 
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