"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

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

"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

"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.

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?

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

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


Duh!

Cheers,
Ellen

"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

"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

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