Westerly Storm cruiser - any good?

[john_travers]

Opinions sought re Storm cruiser. The one with twin keels, a 4 foot shorter mast and the 28hp engine.

Not keen on the mainsheet track behind the helmsman and the anchor well arrangement. Any Westerly owners suffer water ingress through the small access hatch at front of the V berth?

Opinions gratefully received.
Thanks
JHT

 

[philip_stevens]

For more definitive replies, try posting your message on the Westerly Owners news group board at:-
Westerly-Owners@yahoogroups.com

regards,
Philip

 

[ToMo]

Sorry to say this but there they was gone!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Don't know the boat, but just on the question of the mainsheet, being abaft the helmsman is a very valid arrangement mechanically (the sheet lead is pretty much vertical to the end of the boom) and for short handed sailing, letting one person steer and tend the mainsheet/traveller.

 

[alant]

Don't know about twin keeled version, but the fin had a vicious stern prop-walk, due to unbalanced rudder.

 

[Trilogy]

I've got an Ocean 33, the next evolution of the Storm. The mainsheet arrangement is the same and works very well. It requires little effort to control and leaves the cockpit clutter free. I have a canvas pouch below the traveller into which I stuff the mainsheet.

I have seen similar setups where the mainsheet block was attached to the boom with a 30-50cm wire strop. This strikes me as being very dangerous as the block will be flying around your ears when the sheet is slack.

On the Ocean 33, Westerly went back to a deck stowed anchor with hawser pipe.....don't know if this was because of problems with water ingress ?

Good luck

Nick

 

[alant]

Sorry mean't rudder kick!!. If not aware, would throw helmsman overboard.

 

[PeterGibbs]

Good design and nippy, and quite tender. Not suited for running grandma round the bay - it needs sailing!

Engine size is fine.

Main to the steering position is the only really satisfactory layout for the helm to have full control of any boat, and especially this one! Fill and spill one-handed is yours for the asking! Mains that run forward of the hatch need a lot of leverage to centre the boom - is the first mate up to this? Try it first!

Westerly had the inspection hatch in several of their models - I never had problems with this. BUT it may have occurred to you too that it junks a valuable first defence against a head on accident - namely that water can enter the peak if the bow is damaged. A solid first bulkhead might just save the day!? But you then need an opening hatch on deck to inspect the chain locker.

All in all, you get a younger vessel with arguably better design and more cube if you spend the same money on a continental boat - this would be my choice even as a 15 year Westerly user.


PWG

 

[john_travers]

Peter
Do I understand you correctly. A Westerly owner that would be happy with a plastic fantastic!
I think you have summarized my dilemma. Can get a Bene,Bav etc with modern interior, less than 5 years old for the same price or less than a 12 year old good condition Westerly Storm.
Just don’t know which way to jump. Someone told me when buying a boat list down the 6 most important things you want from the boat.
You will only ever get 4 of them. It will be a different 4 on a different boat but you will never get all 6.

JHT