Westerly Seahawk or what else?

[Trop Cher]

I sailed on and in company with a Seahawk many times when we had a Westerly 33 Ketch and I'm afraid I don't rate the Seahawk unless your priority is a big double bed and a big kitchen down in the depths and round the corner. We outsailed the Seahawk in all conditions upwind and down. With a quartering sea and a fat ar$e the pilot was regularly confused when a wave picked up said fat end and placed it at random somewhere else. The one I knew was a fin keeler but the keel depth below the hull was shallow so with any heel upwind she went sideways quite well.

Westerly made some good boats but IMO this wasn't one of them. The Corsair 36 should be in your price range or there is the W33 or Discus (same hull) or the older Conway 36 all well below your limit.

However take off the blinkers and look at some of the AWBs sneered at so often on here. A good Jeanneau Sun Fizz 40 would be in your price range, just avoid the many tired ex-charter ones. We have some friends with one that is like new and almost as good as our Sun Legende 41 we just sold but they are a tad more pricey.

Hi, again thanks for reply.
I'm trying to limit the age of the boat to 25 years. We've discounted a ketch rig, too many ropes for SWMBO. I do really want to keep her on board regards sailing as I've met many husbands who sail on their own or with friends as their wifes just aren't interested. I've been building up my wifes confidence during the last five years and she is very keen for this up grade. While I'm looking at sailing ability, she looking at comfort down below and seaworthiness.
As I said before I think I'll give the Discus a look.

 

[Trop Cher]

I am a Westerly owner myself but will resist the temptation to jump on the band wagon! However, some friends have a Moody Excel 34; its not the greatest sailing boat in the world and also has the high cockpit but so will all centre cockpit boats around 34 feet, but the accomodation is exceptional and its probably worth a look if it is within budget.

Hi, again thanks.
Looked at a few Moodys and decided against the 34 and 346, haven't been able to find any information on the Excel 34 though.

 

[Trop Cher]

I have an old Westerly 33 ketch, the precursor of the Discus, same hull etc. Not the fastest sailer in the world as it is set up for cruising not racing so will not win many races, (we did win the menagery race at our club!), but no other boat will beat it for accomodation space and storage.
PBO did a series of articles on Westerlys about a year ago which put the W33 as the best boat of its time for long distance blue water cruising.
A few going at reasonable prices so you will have, as robmcg says, change to do any mods.
Also one of the safest seagoing boats I have ever sailed.

Thanks,

I do remember the articles the PBO did, I'll pull it out and have a look.

 

[Trop Cher]

It is always difficult to advise on choices like this but the Seahawk ended up number 2 on our list and there were a couple I would have put an offer in on if our offer for the Moody 36 had not been accepted.

I have actually viewed four Moodys so far and did wonder about the 36, however it would have to be the older version from the 80's to be within budget and haven't found any of them for sale.

 

[richardbrennan]

Dear Simon

You can find details, photos and a plan of the Excel 34 on the Moody Owners Association website.

 

[robmcg]

There's a Discus for sale quite close to us that I've fewed a few times on line and now thinking that it's worth a look. The large deck area before the hatch looks interesting, however does it not make it difficult entering the cabin?

I did consider this but in truth, I have never found it a problem getting in and out. There are decent granny bars in the right places to keep a grip on and you step down onto quite a substantial engine box which makes a good target to land your feet on. The bridgedeck is a real advantage for lounging on passage as you can stretch out under the spray hood and stay warm and dry. It is also useful for looking at the chart and marking your position etc. The other advantage is of course that it gives you decent head height when walking into the aft cabin. The aft cabin doesn't have a huge double berth but is wide enough for 2 and again must be 6'6" long at least. We have an enclosure that zips onto the sprayhood and covers the bridgedeck area. It makes a useful extra room when moored up or in inclement weather. We had never been on a Westerly prior to viewing the Discus and now love her solid feel and comfortable motion. They have been described as the one of the best blue water cruisers of their size to ever come off a production line. At least worth a look - they are a lot of boat for the money.

 

[BAtoo]

Link?

http://www.yachtworld.com/privatela...ngth=&luom=127&fromYear=&toYear=&fromPrice=&t


PM sent

 

[Gwylan]

Had a very similar dilemma and the Seahawk came out as the choice.
We took the decision 4 years ago and generally do not regret it. Unless i had a lot more money the choice of an alternative would be difficult to make.
It is a settee with a sail but we sail as a couple and that seems worth a compromise. But it is virtually bomb proof and built like a brick outhouse
The high cockpit keeps you dry in most seas and the galley makes catering a pleasure and not a chore. Also it does boost confidence in most nervous sailors.
Properly sailed she handles most seas well - in mast reefing gives you a huge choice of main and genoa settings to get things right most of the time.
A weakness is downwind when like a lot of boats she has a tendency to roll - the 3rd and fourth hour of this can make anyone feel uncomfortable.
The fore cabin is not the most comfortable, but friends are polite and do not complain too much.
It is a compromise, but then most boats are.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Only ever sailed on one Seahawk a bilge keeler an absolute dog pointed like a blunt stick lots of windage the only description that fits is a caravan that should never leave the marina. The worst boat that Westerly ever produced by a long long way, but each to his own.

 

[grahamthurs]

If you have added the Sigma 362 to your list have you thought on a MG335/346. They are very similar down below with a really good quarter cabin. They have a fractional rig and a self tacking jib, which will suit your sailing in that the boat virtually sails itself while you enjoy the helm, with no shouting at the wife to pull in the large genoa. With a couple on board even with the small jib the performance is fantastic, and they are great sea boats. If you fancy it you can sail with the #1 and go racing. Down side is condition varies due to most of them being raced but there is a good range on the market at the moment with some good examples. I am of course a bit biased as we bought one last year so the love affair is still new and developing. Best of luck with your search.

 

[VO5]

Strange how many people were thinking of the Seahawk but bought something else. Can't find a Sealord anywhere near budget.

You are not likely to find a Sealord easily. I hunted for three years before I found one that was slab reefed that I prefer to in mast. Usually there are perhaps two or even three available worldwide, no more. They don't come on to the market that often. Currently there is only one for sale, in the USA, in mast, named Felix.

 

[VO5]

Don't worry if you're on a Sigma 362 you won't need to duck as no one in a Westerly would catch you.

Don't be so certain. In any event my Sealord is even faster than John's..

 

[VO5]

Ooh - steady now. The only race we ever entered in our Sealord we won - on a flukey very light breeze that gusted at just the right moment and saw us sail past the entire fleet to take line honours AND first overall on handicap. There were lots of boats there who raced a lot - all in their matching embroidered rugby shirts - who were VERY pissed off at the award ceremony.

I don't pretend that we would win any real races regularly - but our old heavy Sealord is comfortable and easy on the motion (and doesn't sail like a total dog).

Pat her bottom and tell her how pleased I am to hear of this..

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Looked seriously at a Seahawk when buying our last boat but came to the conclusion that in the inevitable trade off between floating caravan and performance, it was too much the former and not enough the latter for us.

Look at one out of the water and you'll see why. Shallow keel, wide hull. Lots of wetted area.

But then it's got far better accommodation than the boat we currently have and which is nominally 2 ft longer.

 

[Trop Cher]

If you have added the Sigma 362 to your list have you thought on a MG335/346. They are very similar down below with a really good quarter cabin. They have a fractional rig and a self tacking jib, which will suit your sailing in that the boat virtually sails itself while you enjoy the helm, with no shouting at the wife to pull in the large genoa. With a couple on board even with the small jib the performance is fantastic, and they are great sea boats. If you fancy it you can sail with the #1 and go racing. Down side is condition varies due to most of them being raced but there is a good range on the market at the moment with some good examples. I am of course a bit biased as we bought one last year so the love affair is still new and developing. Best of luck with your search.

PM sent

 

[Appleyard]

Had a very similar dilemma and the Seahawk came out as the choice.
We took the decision 4 years ago and generally do not regret it. Unless i had a lot more money the choice of an alternative would be difficult to make.
It is a settee with a sail but we sail as a couple and that seems worth a compromise. But it is virtually bomb proof and built like a brick outhouse
The high cockpit keeps you dry in most seas and the galley makes catering a pleasure and not a chore. Also it does boost confidence in most nervous sailors.
Properly sailed she handles most seas well - in mast reefing gives you a huge choice of main and genoa settings to get things right most of the time.
A weakness is downwind when like a lot of boats she has a tendency to roll - the 3rd and fourth hour of this can make anyone feel uncomfortable.
The fore cabin is not the most comfortable, but friends are polite and do not complain too much.
It is a compromise, but then most boats are.

AGREE 100% wıth the above ... we are at the moment enjoyıng brıllıant sunshıne and excellent wınds on our Oceandream (seahawk varıant) ın Turkey.
It depends what you want ın a boat..we lıve on ıt for 5-6 weeks at a tıme and ıt ıs easıly the most comfortable accommodatıon we could wısh for. 2 days ago we touched 8.2 kts between Bodrum & Knıdos..not bad for a settee wıth saıls ( Lıke that descrıptıon!!!) . ' people rattle around ın ıt..we have frıends now & then and ıt ıs more than adaquate for 4. Good luck ın your search.

 

[jamesxryan]

Looks like I'm only the second seahawk owner to reply on this thread! I lived on and sailed my Seahawk from London to the Med a couple of years ago, and the boat made the whole experience a pleasure. Admittedly the prior owners had taken particularly good care of her, and she came with almost all new equipment (including engine), but she handled everything the Atlantic and Biscay could throw at her.

Obviously she's not a racer, but sails very comfortably and well in most conditions, and doesn't slam around. And if you're considering living aboard or staying on her for any length of time, the seahawk will knock any other similar boats for six.

You can see pics of her if you search for Westerly Seahawk in private ads - I regret to say that she's up for sale. Let me know if you have any specific questions about Seahawks...