Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"Charlie Morgan" wrote in message
...
I'm interested in opinions on Westsail 32's in general. The one I'm
considering
is factory finished with the dinette layout. It has been constantly
maintained
and upgraded since new, so condition is not a big worry. This is not a
bargin
priced derelict. Of course I'll have a survey done if things progress that
far.

This one was made without teak decks, which to me, is a major plus. Low
hours on
the Yanmar. I'm more interested in hearing about how the boat sails and
what it
is like to spend long periods aboard. I already like the looks and the
size,
although I've also considered some larger boats. The boat would be used
initially for frequent daysails (often single handed) long weekends, and
cruises
of a week or two at most. In a few years, we'd be on the boat for six or
more
months at a time. Once we transition to the longer term situation, we
might even
consider leaving it somewhere nice like the Med, and flying to the boat.
I've
long admired these boats, but I've never spent more than an afternoon on
one.

"Wetsnail" 32s are seriously overbuilt, which can be a distinct advantage
when the going gets rough. You may recall the one that survived "The
Perfect Storm" despite being abandoned.

A friend had one for years, and while I used to blow him a lot of crap about
it, it really was a boat of some merit. In light air it could be terribly
frustrating. Under 10kts. it generally sailed along at 3kts. or so and just
didn't seem to 'free up.' It was not particularly weatherly in such winds,
leading one to use the diesel to weather in anything under 15kts.

However when the wind blew (15kts. and above) it came into its element. We
often beat longer, faster boats, such as C&C 34s and 36s to weather, and on
beam or close reaches. Downwind she doesn't make that sort of speed, but
she wasn't particularly slow either. We once sailed her on a beam reach for
about 12 straight hours of 20+ kts.--made a bit better than 80nm, and in
complete comfort.

Just before he sold the boat and bought a trawler we installed a couple of
thru-hulls. That hull near the point where the bottom fairs into the keel
is amazingly thick--about 1.5"+ solid lay-up. And the interior was
gorgeous--eye candy--if somewhat diminutive in dimensions. But the boat was
most comfortable, either under sail or at the dock. She always drew
comments from passers-by.

As a daysailer, I'd certainly want something lighter, faster, and less
substantial. For weeklong trips I'd probably find the W32 acceptable,
provided I was in no hurry. The reason for that statement is that Lake
Michigan, where we sail, generally find a way to give us light air from the
wrong direction whenever we take a week or two cruise. Under diesel--a 24hp
Universal in my friend's case--she makes 5.5kts without straining. On the
Atlantic Coast, where you reside, it might be a suitable short-cruise
vessel. For long-distance cruising, I think the boat is almost without peer
in its size range. It's a boat I'd cross an ocean in without giving a
second thought to the integrity of the hull and deck lay-ups.

Before buying the boat you're looking at, I'd ask to spend a few hours below
deck, especially on a hot day. It can seem very small below, especially for
more than just a couple. For a solo sailor, or a not-overly-large couple,
the boat is perfect.

Good luck,

Max

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

For a solo sailor, or a not-overly-large couple,
the boat is perfect.


I agree to some degree, but your boat is really quite capable of an
ocean voyage, is also very solidly built and is a LOT more fun to sail.

The question comes as to whether the W32 is overbuilt or grotesquely
overbuilt. An off the rack Caliber or Island Packet is probably just as
capable, more fun to sail and a lot more pleasing to be aboard much of
the time. Of course I'm a Long Island Sound sailor where such boats,
even Cape Dory's are thought of as motorsailors. Finally...does one buy
a vessel for typcial sailing conditions or the Perfect Storm?


Robert B
Beneteau 35s5
NY

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"Charlie Morgan" wrote
I'm interested in opinions on Westsail 32's in general.

It's the perfect boat for a fictional character.


Maxprop wrote:
"Wetsnail" 32s are seriously overbuilt, which can be a distinct advantage
when the going gets rough.

Well, they're very heavily built. That's not necessarily the
same as being very strongly built. I understand there were
several different builders and some QA problems.

Remember the story from the Baja, where a sudden storm blew
a lot of anchroed cruising boats ashore, including a
Westsail 32 and an Olson 40. The Olson had scratches. The
Westsail was in pieces.


You may recall the one that survived "The
Perfect Storm" despite being abandoned.


A great recommendation for somebody who is going to ignore
weather forecasts.

FWIW almost any boat that didn't have major leaks is likely
to survive a really bad storm, provided she doesn't
encounter a really bad combination of waves by chance. OTOH,
if the luck is really bad, nothing is going to survive no
matter how heavy.


A friend had one for years, and while I used to blow him a lot of crap about
it, it really was a boat of some merit. In light air it could be terribly
frustrating. Under 10kts. it generally sailed along at 3kts. or so and just
didn't seem to 'free up.' It was not particularly weatherly in such winds,
leading one to use the diesel to weather in anything under 15kts.


Your friend must have had good sails, a lightly loaded
boat, and been a good sailor. I've never seen one move at
all under sail when there were't whitecaps.



However when the wind blew (15kts. and above) it came into its element. We
often beat longer, faster boats, such as C&C 34s and 36s to weather, and on
beam or close reaches.

?? ??
You're joking. Or the other boats were anchored.

... Downwind she doesn't make that sort of speed, but
she wasn't particularly slow either. We once sailed her on a beam reach for
about 12 straight hours of 20+ kts.--made a bit better than 80nm, and in
complete comfort.


Comfort is the strong point. The boats feel very solid and
the motion is very smooth. Kinda small inside but the
factory offered layouts were very practical and made the most.


Just before he sold the boat and bought a trawler we installed a couple of
thru-hulls. That hull near the point where the bottom fairs into the keel
is amazingly thick--about 1.5"+ solid lay-up.

I saw a guy putting a thru-hull in a one of the more
piratey-looking crab crushers, and he had been bragging
about his thick thick thick hull. "Back then, they didn't
know how strong fiberglass was" was one of his favorite
sayings. Well, as he worked on the hull, he started finding
odd things.... hull lay-up with headlines, or scraps of what
looked like indoor-outdoor carpet.

I'm not saying Westsail did stuff like that. I'm just saying
that really really thick fiberglass is not, all by itself, a
great recommendation.


.... Under diesel--a 24hp
Universal in my friend's case--she makes 5.5kts without straining.

I think "without strain" is a good descriptor for the whole
boat & it's operation. The cockpit is well laid out, as is
the deck although it's bit crowded for my taste. The rig &
it's gear is properly done and nothing takes gut-busting
effort. I love the bulwarks. The nicest thing is that the
boat is very steady underfoot, no bounciness... anti-bouncy,
if anything. One downside of this characteristic is that
they tend to throw spray in a chop.

The Westsail 32 is often described as a "Colin Archer" type
but it's really not. It's more like a workboat that looks
Colin Archer-ish. There is little flare and little keel salient.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com...

For a solo sailor, or a not-overly-large couple,
the boat is perfect.


I agree to some degree, but your boat is really quite capable of an
ocean voyage, is also very solidly built and is a LOT more fun to sail.

The question comes as to whether the W32 is overbuilt or grotesquely
overbuilt. An off the rack Caliber or Island Packet is probably just as
capable, more fun to sail and a lot more pleasing to be aboard much of
the time. Of course I'm a Long Island Sound sailor where such boats,
even Cape Dory's are thought of as motorsailors. Finally...does one buy
a vessel for typcial sailing conditions or the Perfect Storm?


Robert B
Beneteau 35s5
NY


The average boater buys for "typical sailing conditions," then lives in fear
of getting caught out in anything stronger than 15 knots. I'll take the
Wetsnail over a modern putty boat any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

Maxprop wrote:

"Wetsnail" 32s are seriously overbuilt, which can be a distinct advantage
when the going gets rough. You may recall the one that survived "The
Perfect Storm" despite being abandoned.

A friend had one for years, and while I used to blow him a lot of crap about
it, it really was a boat of some merit. In light air it could be terribly
frustrating. Under 10kts. it generally sailed along at 3kts. or so and just
didn't seem to 'free up.' It was not particularly weatherly in such winds,
leading one to use the diesel to weather in anything under 15kts.

Was that John O. from Grand Rapids?

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

My bad, Charlie...I got the worng boat...Michael replied:

Michael Orton wrote:

Ect chew lee (actually) I have a proper British built boat, a Westerly Berwick 31 twin keeler.....but I can vouch for the worth of W32's as good cruising/liveaboard boats.....

M.


On 12/3/06, katy wrote:

Mike..if you send me a reply I'll post it for you since you are probably
not siubscribed anymore...

Charlie Morgan wrote:
On Sun, 03 Dec 2006 16:44:06 -0500, katy wrote:


Charlie Morgan wrote:

I'm interested in opinions on Westsail 32's in general. The one I'm considering
is factory finished with the dinette layout. It has been constantly maintained
and upgraded since new, so condition is not a big worry. This is not a bargin
priced derelict. Of course I'll have a survey done if things progress that far.

This one was made without teak decks, which to me, is a major plus. Low hours on
the Yanmar. I'm more interested in hearing about how the boat sails and what it
is like to spend long periods aboard. I already like the looks and the size,
although I've also considered some larger boats. The boat would be used
initially for frequent daysails (often single handed) long weekends, and cruises
of a week or two at most. In a few years, we'd be on the boat for six or more
months at a time. Once we transition to the longer term situation, we might even
consider leaving it somewhere nice like the Med, and flying to the boat. I've
long admired these boats, but I've never spent more than an afternoon on one.

CWM

Michael Ortin has a Westsail...want me to forward on your post since he
no longer reads asa?


Thanks. I'd appreciate it.

CWM

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"katy" wrote
My bad, Charlie...I got the worng boat...


Duh!

Cheers,
Ellen

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"katy" wrote
My bad, Charlie...I got the worng boat...


From Google Groups : katysails
s/v Chanteuse Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

I agree with you. You did get the *worng* boat.

Cheers,
Ellen

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
et...

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com...

For a solo sailor, or a not-overly-large couple,
the boat is perfect.


I agree to some degree, but your boat is really quite capable of an
ocean voyage, is also very solidly built and is a LOT more fun to sail.

The question comes as to whether the W32 is overbuilt or grotesquely
overbuilt. An off the rack Caliber or Island Packet is probably just as
capable, more fun to sail and a lot more pleasing to be aboard much of
the time. Of course I'm a Long Island Sound sailor where such boats,
even Cape Dory's are thought of as motorsailors. Finally...does one buy
a vessel for typcial sailing conditions or the Perfect Storm?


Robert B
Beneteau 35s5
NY


The average boater buys for "typical sailing conditions," then lives in
fear of getting caught out in anything stronger than 15 knots. I'll take
the Wetsnail over a modern putty boat any day of the week, and twice on
Sundays.

Out here, the typical sailing conditions are 20kts or more, and it's not
that unusual to see over 30kts in the summer months. I dread the days when
they're under 10kts, although it does make for excellent scenary/photography
for guests.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

Capt. JG wrote:

The question comes as to whether the W32 is overbuilt or grotesquely
overbuilt. An off the rack Caliber or Island Packet is probably just as
capable, more fun to sail and a lot more pleasing to be aboard much of
the time. Of course I'm a Long Island Sound sailor where such boats,
even Cape Dory's are thought of as motorsailors. Finally...does one buy
a vessel for typcial sailing conditions or the Perfect Storm?


Robert B
Beneteau 35s5
NY

The average boater buys for "typical sailing conditions," then lives in
fear of getting caught out in anything stronger than 15 knots. I'll take
the Wetsnail over a modern putty boat any day of the week, and twice on
Sundays.

Out here, the typical sailing conditions are 20kts or more, and it's not
that unusual to see over 30kts in the summer months. I dread the days when
they're under 10kts, although it does make for excellent scenary/photography
for guests.


And yet, the average wind in SF is lighter than in NY at LaGuardia or
in Boston at Logan. Of course, SF has its strongest wind in the
summer while we have it in the winter.

http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/...d/avgwind.html

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote
The average boater buys for "typical sailing conditions,"

Nah, the average boater buys for sitting at the dock with a
beer (not that there's anything wrong with that).


then lives in
fear of getting caught out in anything stronger than 15 knots. I'll take
the Wetsnail over a modern putty boat any day of the week, and twice on
Sundays.


It's a matter of taste. Skill and outfitting make a bigger
difference. I love to sail on windy days, and lighter/faster
boats are more fun.

The average sailor doesn't get much enough experience on
heavy days to feel comfortable, and rather few practice the
stuff you need to do.


Capt. JG wrote:
Out here, the typical sailing conditions are 20kts or more, and it's not
that unusual to see over 30kts in the summer months. I dread the days when
they're under 10kts, although it does make for excellent scenary/photography
for guests.


And the funny thing is, your area was the birthplace of the
ultra-light displacement flyer. I agree with Bob though,
different tasks require different tools.

DSK

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
Capt. JG wrote:

The question comes as to whether the W32 is overbuilt or grotesquely
overbuilt. An off the rack Caliber or Island Packet is probably just as
capable, more fun to sail and a lot more pleasing to be aboard much of
the time. Of course I'm a Long Island Sound sailor where such boats,
even Cape Dory's are thought of as motorsailors. Finally...does one buy
a vessel for typcial sailing conditions or the Perfect Storm?


Robert B
Beneteau 35s5
NY

The average boater buys for "typical sailing conditions," then lives in
fear of getting caught out in anything stronger than 15 knots. I'll take
the Wetsnail over a modern putty boat any day of the week, and twice on
Sundays.

Out here, the typical sailing conditions are 20kts or more, and it's not
that unusual to see over 30kts in the summer months. I dread the days
when they're under 10kts, although it does make for excellent
scenary/photography for guests.


And yet, the average wind in SF is lighter than in NY at LaGuardia or in
Boston at Logan. Of course, SF has its strongest wind in the summer while
we have it in the winter.

http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/...d/avgwind.html

You're talking about airports. I'm talking about the slot.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

On Sun, 03 Dec 2006 21:12:47 -0500, DSK wrote:

And the funny thing is, your area was the birthplace of the
ultra-light displacement flyer. I agree with Bob though,
different tasks require different tools.

Actually the most famous ULDBs came from the Santa Cruz area which is
a bit south from SF Bay and has much lighter conditions.

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

And the funny thing is, your area was the birthplace of the
ultra-light displacement flyer.


Wayne.B wrote:
Actually the most famous ULDBs came from the Santa Cruz area which is
a bit south from SF Bay and has much lighter conditions.


OK, I stand corrected. However, ULDB's are quite popular on
SF Bay, they're for more than just drifting around ;)

And FWIW I agree about the optimism with regard to speed.
The Westsail is one of the slower crab-crushers and while
it's a common crab-crusher fantasy to say "My boat is faster
than all those lightweight clorox bottles, once the wind
gets up enough for REAL sailing," my experience has been
that as long as the LW clorox sailor is competent & not
anchored, the fast boat is always faster... upwind,
downwind... blow high, blow low. OTOH it's nice to not
bounce so much in waves.

DSK

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com...

For a solo sailor, or a not-overly-large couple,
the boat is perfect.


I agree to some degree, but your boat is really quite capable of an
ocean voyage, is also very solidly built and is a LOT more fun to sail.

The question comes as to whether the W32 is overbuilt or grotesquely
overbuilt. An off the rack Caliber or Island Packet is probably just as
capable, more fun to sail and a lot more pleasing to be aboard much of
the time.

Those would also be one hell of a lot more expensive. The nicest aspect of
W32s these days is their prices.

Of course I'm a Long Island Sound sailor where such boats,
even Cape Dory's are thought of as motorsailors. Finally...does one buy
a vessel for typcial sailing conditions or the Perfect Storm?

That was my point in a nutshell. I wouldn't own a boat of the W32's nature,
primarily because most of my sailing is daysailing and week-long cruising at
this point. But the Passport 40 we've been looking at would still be my
choice for offshore work.

Max

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
et...

The average boater buys for "typical sailing conditions," then lives in
fear of getting caught out in anything stronger than 15 knots. I'll take
the Wetsnail over a modern putty boat any day of the week, and twice on
Sundays.

The competent sailor has confidence in his abilities and knows his
limitations. The "average boater" you describe above is a typical Catalina
30 owner who never really learned to sail and doesn't know enough about
heavy weather sailing to be anything but a hazard to himself and his
passengers. His Catalina is stout enough to handle 70kts and big waves, but
he most likely isn't. If he knew what he was doing, he wouldn't need an
overbuilt boat like the Wetsnail.

Max

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"Maxprop" wrote in message
ink.net...

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
et...

The average boater buys for "typical sailing conditions," then lives in
fear of getting caught out in anything stronger than 15 knots. I'll take
the Wetsnail over a modern putty boat any day of the week, and twice on
Sundays.

The competent sailor has confidence in his abilities and knows his
limitations. The "average boater" you describe above is a typical
Catalina 30 owner who never really learned to sail and doesn't know enough
about heavy weather sailing to be anything but a hazard to himself and his
passengers. His Catalina is stout enough to handle 70kts and big waves,
but he most likely isn't. If he knew what he was doing, he wouldn't need
an overbuilt boat like the Wetsnail.

Max


So are you saying that the "average" sailor is also a competent one?

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"DSK" wrote in message
...

Maxprop wrote:

FWIW almost any boat that didn't have major leaks is likely to survive a
really bad storm, provided she doesn't encounter a really bad combination
of waves by chance. OTOH, if the luck is really bad, nothing is going to
survive no matter how heavy.

From the damage sustained by that boat, it was assumed that the waves had
rolled it several times, or perhaps pitchpoled the boat. Are you implying
that, say, a Hunter 30 built during the same general period would have fared
as well?

A friend had one for years, and while I used to blow him a lot of crap
about it, it really was a boat of some merit. In light air it could be
terribly frustrating. Under 10kts. it generally sailed along at 3kts. or
so and just didn't seem to 'free up.' It was not particularly weatherly
in such winds, leading one to use the diesel to weather in anything under
15kts.


Your friend must have had good sails, a lightly loaded boat, and been a
good sailor. I've never seen one move at all under sail when there were't
whitecaps.

You must not have had much experience with them. His was an owner-finished
boat. The interior was gorgeous, but no concession was made to light weight
joinerwork. Everything was teak and overbuilt below as well. My friend's
sails were new when I first sailed with him, and he indeed was a fine
sailor, and the boat moved very well in 15kts.

However when the wind blew (15kts. and above) it came into its element.
We often beat longer, faster boats, such as C&C 34s and 36s to weather,
and on beam or close reaches.

?? ??
You're joking. Or the other boats were anchored.

No joke. If I had a dollar for every time we passed faster, leaner boats
under those conditions, especially around 20kts. or better, I wouldn't be
rich, but I could probably buy a new pair of Topsiders. Above 15kts. the
lightweight boats reduce sail. The Wetsnail (sloop, in this case) carried
full sail to 40kts. with my friend at the helm. I typically reduced sail a
bit sooner, but then I prefer to keep a boat on its feet.


Max

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"katy" wrote in message
...

Was that John O. from Grand Rapids?

No. Larry Sullivan.

Max

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"Maxprop" wrote in message
nk.net...

"DSK" wrote in message
...

Maxprop wrote:

FWIW almost any boat that didn't have major leaks is likely to survive a
really bad storm, provided she doesn't encounter a really bad combination
of waves by chance. OTOH, if the luck is really bad, nothing is going to
survive no matter how heavy.

From the damage sustained by that boat, it was assumed that the waves had
rolled it several times, or perhaps pitchpoled the boat. Are you implying
that, say, a Hunter 30 built during the same general period would have
fared as well?

A friend had one for years, and while I used to blow him a lot of crap
about it, it really was a boat of some merit. In light air it could be
terribly frustrating. Under 10kts. it generally sailed along at 3kts.
or so and just didn't seem to 'free up.' It was not particularly
weatherly in such winds, leading one to use the diesel to weather in
anything under 15kts.


Your friend must have had good sails, a lightly loaded boat, and been a
good sailor. I've never seen one move at all under sail when there were't
whitecaps.

You must not have had much experience with them. His was an
owner-finished boat. The interior was gorgeous, but no concession was
made to light weight joinerwork. Everything was teak and overbuilt below
as well. My friend's sails were new when I first sailed with him, and he
indeed was a fine sailor, and the boat moved very well in 15kts.

However when the wind blew (15kts. and above) it came into its element.
We often beat longer, faster boats, such as C&C 34s and 36s to weather,
and on beam or close reaches.

?? ??
You're joking. Or the other boats were anchored.

No joke. If I had a dollar for every time we passed faster, leaner boats
under those conditions, especially around 20kts. or better, I wouldn't be
rich, but I could probably buy a new pair of Topsiders. Above 15kts. the
lightweight boats reduce sail. The Wetsnail (sloop, in this case) carried
full sail to 40kts. with my friend at the helm. I typically reduced sail
a bit sooner, but then I prefer to keep a boat on its feet.


Max


Just think of all that excess loading on the sails and rigging.

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

On Sun, 03 Dec 2006 23:09:33 -0500, DSK wrote:

OK, I stand corrected. However, ULDB's are quite popular on SF Bay,
they're for more than just drifting around ;)

I wonder how many ever go outside. Of course some do, but a lot more
don't.

And FWIW I agree about the optimism with regard to speed. The Westsail
is one of the slower crab-crushers and while it's a common crab-crusher
fantasy to say "My boat is faster than all those lightweight clorox
bottles, once the wind gets up enough for REAL sailing," my experience
has been that as long as the LW clorox sailor is competent & not
anchored, the fast boat is always faster... upwind, downwind... blow
high, blow low.

Under power too -- the Westsail is a slow boat. A friend has one, and
when we all cruise together we eventually lose him because he can't keep
up, doing only 5-5.5kt under power.

Another problem is maneuverability in tight spots -- the Westsail won't
turn tightly or back straight, and the big bowsprit doesn't help. In
reality it's a 40 footer, that handles like a 60 footer. There are plenty
of slips our friend just can't get into (or out of).

Still, he loves his boat, and has at least as much fun with it as the rest
of us do with ours. As far as speed goes, where we cruise the cove next
door is as nice as the one 50 miles away, so who cares?

Matt O.

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

FWIW almost any boat that didn't have major leaks is likely to survive a
really bad storm, provided she doesn't encounter a really bad combination
of waves by chance. OTOH, if the luck is really bad, nothing is going to
survive no matter how heavy.


Maxprop wrote:
From the damage sustained by that boat, it was assumed that the waves had
rolled it several times, or perhaps pitchpoled the boat. Are you implying
that, say, a Hunter 30 built during the same general period would have fared
as well?


If the hatches & ports didn't break in, sure. Why wouldn't
it? The Hunter 30 would be more likely to spend more time
upside-down though, if rolled.

Unless you carefully gather data on how long abandoned boats
survive in hurricane+ conditions, you're just indulging in
idle name-calling.


Your friend must have had good sails, a lightly loaded boat, and been a
good sailor. I've never seen one move at all under sail when there were't
whitecaps.


You must not have had much experience with them.

Depnds on what you call "much." There have been a few
Westsails around most of the places I've sailed, and I've
had a few friends who owned them.


?? ??
You're joking. Or the other boats were anchored.


No joke. If I had a dollar for every time we passed faster, leaner boats
under those conditions, especially around 20kts. or better, I wouldn't be
rich, but I could probably buy a new pair of Topsiders.

Well, my experience has been that crab-crusher sailors like
to make this claim, but for every time they outsail another
boat there are two basic facts
1- the other boat is either much smaller or has some good
reason for being slow, like 5 years of bottom growth
2- there are 50 other examples of being outsailed by similar
vessels, which the crab-crusher sailor neglects to observe
or mention.

For example, I was good friends with a couple who onwed a
very very nice Thomas Gilmer designed full keeler. They
insisted it could outsail "any" fin-keeler in higher winds.
They based this on have once outrun an O'Day of the mid-20'
size range. I sailed against them in a Morgan 27 one day of
30+ winds and literally could run rings around them. I was
afraid they would never speak to me again, but I think the
social convention was that they pretended it never happened
and I could still be friends as long as I was gentlemanly
enough to not mention it, either.

I also observed them dropping behind many other less racy
production fin keelers of similar size. Same with Westsails
although I've never made as direct a test of it.


... Above 15kts. the
lightweight boats reduce sail. The Wetsnail (sloop, in this case) carried
full sail to 40kts.

And it still has a fat cross section and rather low righting
moment per pound of displacement.

... I typically reduced sail a
bit sooner, but then I prefer to keep a boat on its feet.


It's true that many hull forms don't mind heeling as much as
boxy fin-keelers do (sails like a dinghy), but that doesn't
make them any faster.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
et...

"Maxprop" wrote in message
ink.net...

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
et...

The average boater buys for "typical sailing conditions," then lives in
fear of getting caught out in anything stronger than 15 knots. I'll take
the Wetsnail over a modern putty boat any day of the week, and twice on
Sundays.

The competent sailor has confidence in his abilities and knows his
limitations. The "average boater" you describe above is a typical
Catalina 30 owner who never really learned to sail and doesn't know
enough about heavy weather sailing to be anything but a hazard to himself
and his passengers. His Catalina is stout enough to handle 70kts and big
waves, but he most likely isn't. If he knew what he was doing, he
wouldn't need an overbuilt boat like the Wetsnail.

Max


So are you saying that the "average" sailor is also a competent one?

To the contrary. The average sailor is like the average golfer--good enough
to play the game but not to score well.

Max

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"Gilligan" wrote in message

Just think of all that excess loading on the sails and rigging.

. . . which for a Wetsnail is no problem. Everything is overbuilt,
including the rigging. Most W32 owners specify their sails in the very
heavy fabric range.

Max

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

"Maxprop" wrote in message ink.net...

To the contrary. The average sailor is like the average golfer--good enough to play the game but not to score well.

Max


That is laughable. The average sailor is nothing like the average golfer.
The average golfer is out on the course regularly. He spends more time
golfing than talking about golf. He has pride in his game. The average
sailor sits around and jaw jacks about sailing more than he actually sails.
His verbiage consists of the transparent sort that leads a competent
listener to conclude forthwith that he is full of ****.

But, you are correct, sir, when you allude to the specific of competency
level. I could posit a golfer who never swung a club being able to negotiate
a golf course with greater dispatch than a new sailor with a new boat being
able to negotiate a crowded inlet with aplomb if not without incident.

In general, people who sail don't take it seriously, instead they use sailing as
a means of escape. In most cases they are escaping a life consisting of one
shameful failure after another, thus they have no expectations other than
failure when it comes to sailing. Should they screw up to a grand extent, they
can always write a horror story and submit it to a sailing magazine which will
happily and with great dispatch print it knowing their readers will readily
identify with it and lap it up like so much milk and honey. It's par for the
sailing course!

Such is the sad state of sailing.

Paladin,
(Have gun - will travel)



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

Paladin wrote:

To the contrary. The average sailor is like the average golfer--good enough to play the game but not to score well.
Max


That is laughable. The average sailor is nothing like the average golfer.

In general, people who sail don't take it seriously, instead they use sailing as
a means of escape. In most cases they are escaping a life consisting of one
shameful failure after another, thus they have no expectations other than
failure when it comes to sailing. Should they screw up to a grand extent, they
can always write a horror story and submit it to a sailing magazine which will
happily and with great dispatch print it knowing their readers will readily
identify with it and lap it up like so much milk and honey. It's par for the
sailing course!
Such is the sad state of sailing.
Paladin,


So where would you place yourself in that discription?

Westsail 32 - opinions
 

In general, people who sail don't take it seriously, instead they use
sailing as
a means of escape. In most cases they are escaping a life consisting of
one
shameful failure after another, thus they have no expectations other
than
failure when it comes to sailing.



In general people who sail like to go sailing. They generally have fun
no matter how "seriously" they approach it. Then there is a small
minority who appear to be obsessed, worried and jealous of how others
enjoy their boats. I have only encountered the latter online and for
the most part even those folks are just kidding.
Let's hope you are as well.


Robert B
Beneteau 35s5
NY
See our Heart of Gold under sail....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=d0nSgsgOApg