Westerly v AWB.........

[aquaholic]

The quest continues to hopefully trade up this year, was thinking along the lines of Oceanis 361/Sun Odd' 37 etc, however I have now seen a Westerly typhoon, although a little dated seems a really nice solid boat, so i was wondering how the newer boats compare with an early 90's westerly with regards to sailing ability, It would seem these Typhoons can actually sail into the wind...................well not quite, but know there like hens teeth as there was only 40 made I am told

 

[VicS]

Yes only 40 but a very good sailing boat according toTHIS

 

[PeteCooper]

I'm sure you will have seen this as well.....
http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/westerly-typhoon/westerly-typhoon.htm

 

[Tom Price]

Westerly - bilge versus fin

THIS[/URL][ /QUOTE]

At last - the suggestion that Ed Dubois didn't specify enough ballast for the fin versions, so the twins were stiffer, and therefore 'faster'.
That was precisiely my experience after sailing two Fulmars turn and turn about for a season. But could I get it across in these pages?
Thanks Vic.

PS My Commodore had a Typhoon. I had to demonstrate that the forward heads needed 40, yes forty, pumps to clear!

 

[30boat]

THIS[/URL][ /QUOTE]

At last - the suggestion that Ed Dubois didn't specify enough ballast for the fin versions, so the twins were stiffer, and therefore 'faster'.
That was precisiely my experience after sailing two Fulmars turn and turn about for a season. But could I get it across in these pages?
Thanks Vic.

PS My Commodore had a Typhoon. I had to demonstrate that the forward heads needed 40, yes forty, pumps to clear!

You find the fin keel Fulmar less stiff than the twin keel version?My fin keeler appears to be rather stiffer than my friends twin.I haven't sailed his boat much but according to him my boat will keep carrying full sail in conditions that would overpower his.

 

[Tom Price]

Fulmar quirks

In the days when owners chartered their boats without any red tape I, boatless, filled my season with just that.
In addition to chartering fin-keel Fulmars from westerly Sea School several times for the R the Is, I bounced between a pair of Fulmars, ten weekends each, with 6 peeps on board.

The twin was stiffer so carried more canvas, made more leeway, slower downwind, and slammed in a chop.

A fin Fulmar was in my top three with Conti 32 and Sigma 33 ,but couldn't afford any of them! However, in my dreams I would have fitted a deeper keel to make her less tender - did that on an Arpege and she gobbled up to windward like a witch!

 

[30boat]

In the days when owners chartered their boats without any red tape I, boatless, filled my season with just that.
In addition to chartering fin-keel Fulmars from westerly Sea School several times for the R the Is, I bounced between a pair of Fulmars, ten weekends each, with 6 peeps on board.

The twin was stiffer so carried more canvas, made more leeway, slower downwind, and slammed in a chop.

A fin Fulmar was in my top three with Conti 32 and Sigma 33 ,but couldn't afford any of them! However, in my dreams I would have fitted a deeper keel to make her less tender - did that on an Arpege and she gobbled up to windward like a witch!

I could never understand why Westerly didn't fit a deeper keel to the Fulmar.My previous boat ,a Douglas Peterson design,was 29.5ft long and had a 1,70m draft with a lead keel to boot.Having said that I never felt the Fulmar to be a tender boat and the ballast ratio is about 42%.The deep keeled Arpege was a witch to windward.Did you change the keel on yours or just got the factory version?

 

[aquaholic]

But how would a typhoon compare with one of the newer style ben & jennys of the same length?

 

[Tranona]

The quest continues to hopefully trade up this year, was thinking along the lines of Oceanis 361/Sun Odd' 37 etc, however I have now seen a Westerly typhoon, although a little dated seems a really nice solid boat, so i was wondering how the newer boats compare with an early 90's westerly with regards to sailing ability, It would seem these Typhoons can actually sail into the wind...................well not quite, but know there like hens teeth as there was only 40 made I am told

At that price/size point you have a choice. Which route you go will depend very much on what you feel comfortable with, and more importantly which type you think will help you achieve your cruising ambitions. The biggest difference is likely to be condition. Older boats generally show their age - and at the 20-25 year stage are starting to need heavy expenditure. Of course, the trick is to try and buy one that has just had the money spent, but unfortunately people who do that tend not to sell, so most on the market will need money spent on them.

As regards the capability of different types - look around you and see what sort of boat others who do similar things to you are using and form your own opinion.

 

[Roger_D]

Typhoon

I would vouch for one. We chartered one in Scotland, sailed very well, similar to a Sigma 38. We had the version with two aft cabins. When we came to buy a boat, we looked at a Typhoon in Holland, but the gel coat was crazed and it was the single aft cabin version, which in my view wastes the space. We have seen a pristine version in Scotland. Gave up not finding one and bought another boat eventually.

 

[Sans Bateau]

The Typhon is a superb boat, however, it is still an AWB to anyone who owns anything older!

Seriously though, the one problem that Westerly suffer with was lack of finance, and a series of insolvencies. This meant that if the boat was built just before one of their trips into administration, then you are likely to find a few 'short cuts' in her build. I have heard, that packing case wood was found instead of marine ply or aluminium as backing for cleats and winches on one boat.

A good survey will expose any poor build issues, if its good get it.

 

[Skylark]

I'd stick with your original plan. I can confirm that the Oceanis 361 is the very best all-round boat afloat today. No prejudice, by the way

 

[cmedsailor]

The quest continues to hopefully trade up this year, was thinking along the lines of Oceanis 361/Sun Odd' 37 etc, however I have now seen a Westerly typhoon, although a little dated seems a really nice solid boat, so i was wondering how the newer boats compare with an early 90's westerly with regards to sailing ability, It would seem these Typhoons can actually sail into the wind...................well not quite, but know there like hens teeth as there was only 40 made I am told

I could offer some advice on the Oceanis 361 as I bought one 3,5 years ago (and will try to be objective!), if necessary. Cannot compare with Typhoons though because I have no idea what boats these are.

In general, the B361, not been so modern style (meaning very flat / fat bottom) is indeed a good all round boat in terms of sailing provided you respect her limits.

 

[Tom Price]

From the factory. Still had the (what was then unusual) bulb but another foot draft. Never got round to lengthening the original drying legs!

 

[30boat]

I'd stick with your original plan. I can confirm that the Oceanis 361 is the very best all-round boat afloat today. No prejudice, by the way

Not disputing that but they're so ugly!

 

[typhoonNige]

I would definitely go for the Typhoon. I've had mine for 5.5 years now and have had racing success, as well as 25 day holidays aboard every August. We usually sail double handed and there are no difficulties with handling. Performance and strength make her a good choice for long passages (Ireland last year). For a comparison of performance of cruisers look no further than the Round the Island race results for the last few years. These at least give an idea of what a boat is capable of. Drying out against our club wall is also no problem - not always the case with some other comparable boats with lighter construction.

The build quality is variable however! I have replaced many A2 stainless bolts with the A4 which should have been used and a lot of plated rather than stainless screws. Internal fit out looks good until you need to get behind anything and headlining is a pain as with most Westerlies (stainless staples and a staple gun is a good quick fix on wood panels). You may well find areas where bilge water doesn't drain too.

Our round Britain and Blue Water plans are coming together - ask the owners of Fiveflipflops how the Typhoon handles 5 years of this if you need more info.

 

[Skylark]

Not disputing that but they're so ugly!

What...............what........what!

If was wearing my leather gloves it would be off with the right hand and a quick slap to your face! Make your choice, pistols or swords at dawn

 

[30boat]

What...............what........what!

If was wearing my leather gloves it would be off with the right hand and a quick slap to your face! Make your choice, pistols or swords at dawn

Will you settle for a pint instead?

 

[BAtoo]

The Oceanis/Oddesey ranges from Ben&Jen are the cruiser orientated versions of their ranges. As such they are somewhat "detuned" with smaller rigs and shallower keels in general and as a result their sailing performance is lessened. They generally also have a larger volume deck moulding increasing the space available inside, the hulls are sometimes shared with the "racier" versions (First and Fast ranges).

With the Westerly you have a design that is several years old/at the end of its line; the Oceanis/Oddessey ranges are somewhat newer.

I would expect the Westerly to sail better than the Oceanis/Oddessey - especially in heavier weather. I would expect the First/Fast versions to out-sail the Westerly overall.

Its horses for courses; try before you buy & at least look at lots.

BTW if you want a First that will sail the pants off most boats this size - and many bigger look at this :- http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/beneteau-first38s5/first-38s5.htm

 

[aquaholic]

The Oceanis/Oddesey ranges from Ben&Jen are the cruiser orientated versions of their ranges. As such they are somewhat "detuned" with smaller rigs and shallower keels in general and as a result their sailing performance is lessened. They generally also have a larger volume deck moulding increasing the space available inside, the hulls are sometimes shared with the "racier" versions (First and Fast ranges).

With the Westerly you have a design that is several years old/at the end of its line; the Oceanis/Oddessey ranges are somewhat newer.

I would expect the Westerly to sail better than the Oceanis/Oddessey - especially in heavier weather. I would expect the First/Fast versions to out-sail the Westerly overall.

Its horses for courses; try before you buy & at least look at lots.

BTW if you want a First that will sail the pants off most boats this size - and many bigger look at this :- http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/beneteau-first38s5/first-38s5.htm

Thanks, really helpfull reply. I guess I was just thinking of something a little heavier than the newer production boats, and like everyone else having to compromise.