Westerly Storm Bilge Keels

[john_morris_uk]

Has anyone any experience of Westerly Storms with Bilge Keels? The only bilge keel boat I have ever owned (or sailed) was a Sadler 25, and that sailed really well on her bilge keels. We weren't looking for a bilge keeler in particular but one is available and I wondered whether how they sail? Have sailed the fin keel version and never worked out why they weren't more popular - well I liked it anyway. Do they slam? How much performance loss I wonder?

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[ex-Gladys]

Chartered a Merlin once. GOing to windward at three knots forward, 2 sideways (well it felt like that) was not fun. After that experience I said I would never EVER have BK's...

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[philip_stevens]

John,
Could I suggest that contact the webmaster, for details for joining the Westerly newsgroup, <A target="_blank" HREF=http://westerly-owners@yahoogroups.com>http://westerly-owners@yahoogroups.com</A>, at webmaster(at)westerly-owners.co.uk <font color=red>(Change the (at) for @ sign)</font color=red>

Alternatively, you can go to the Westerly website and join there - http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=westerly and join here.

You will get more answers on the <font color=blue>WOA</font color=blue> site/group, where most of the Westerly owners reside.

I've had a Westerly Konsort, and although not the fastest sailing boat, was very comfortable, and would sail to windward - albeit not as fast as a fin keeler. As I said, join the discussion group and post on there and await a flood of answers.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[Peter_the_Grate]

I have, but I've never sailed a fin-keeled Storm so I can't compare. The twin-keel Storm is properly called a Storm-Cruiser (sail logo SM-C). Storm-Cruisers were built for comfort and included heating, pressurised hot water (and a shower), a more powerful engine (volvo 2003 rather than 2002) and a shortened rig (by 4 feet) for easier handling. Perversely, two (of the thirty or so) Storm-Cruisers were produced with fin keels.

It has proved to be a comfortable boat that is easy to sail. I guess that the fin-keeled version will be quicker but I have no idea by how much.

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