dougie, your views of how W32 was designed in no way match any opinions of any
who were there at the time.

The W32 was designed to be a fiberglass version of the 1930's Aitkin "Eric",
and the W32 was designed using "eyeball engineering". The W32 came in weighing
more than the wooden Eric and -- by all informed accounts -- perhaps less of a
sailor.

The W32 does have the rep (well deserved by most accounts) of being as fine a
heavy weather boat as the Eric.

The W32 is NOT, however, a speed demon.

WHEELER WHEELER wrote:

... I understand that any visible faults, especially on
the kit boats, will be cosmetic and therefore not substantial.

Not necessarily. It may appeal as a sort of Zen-like attitude, "If you can
see it,
it doesn't matter" but don't bet your life.

They best approach would be to do some study on what boat structures should
look
like, and then get out there and look at some real world samples. Brokers
hate
tire-kickers but it's the best way to learn.

JAXAshby wrote:


the W32 was designed (reliable sources say, on the factory floor as glass
was
laid up) as a fiberglass version of the 1930's Wm Aitkin 32 foot design
called
"Eric", which was Aitkin's version (many would say, improved version) of
the
Colin Archer boats.

Not even, unless they changed it dramatically on the factory floor. You can
look at
the lines plan of any of Atkins redningskoite designs and look at the hull of
a
Westsail 32.... even if you can only see it above the waterline... there is
some
slight family resemblance but the designs are quite different.

Of course, you have to know what to look for and have at least 20/300
vision...

Fresh Breezes- Doug King