The story of Westerly Yachts was a tale of craftsmanship, community, and a shared love for the sea. It all began with an ambitious young boatbuilder named Samuel Westerly. Samuel was born into a family of shipbuilders and sailors, and his passion for the ocean ran deep. From a young age, he dreamed of creating sailboats that would not only navigate the waters with grace but also capture the hearts of those who sailed them.
In the early 20th century, Samuel Westerly founded Westerly Yachts in Seafarer's Cove. His first boat, the "Westerly Spirit," was a modest 30-foot sloop. It was an immediate success, admired for its craftsmanship and seaworthiness. As word spread about the quality of Westerly Yachts, the demand for these boats grew steadily.
Over the years, Samuel and his team of skilled craftsmen continued to innovate and refine their designs. They created boats that were not just vessels but works of art, combining classic aesthetics with modern technology. Westerly Yachts became synonymous with quality and reliability, attracting sailors from all corners of the globe.
The town of Harborville embraced Westerly Yachts, and the shipyard became a centerpiece of the community. Local families took pride in working at Seafarer's Cove, passing down their shipbuilding skills from one generation to the next. Harborville's economy flourished, and the shipyard became a source of pride for the entire town.
As the years passed, Westerly Yachts expanded its offerings, introducing a wide range of sailboat models, from sleek coastal cruisers to robust bluewater voyagers. Each model was meticulously designed, with an unwavering commitment to excellence.
One of the most iconic Westerly Yachts was the "Westerly Seafarer." This bluewater cruiser was known for its rugged durability and the ability to handle the most challenging offshore conditions. Sailors who embarked on long-distance voyages trusted the Seafarer to carry them safely to distant shores.
As Westerly Yachts continued to thrive, it also contributed to environmental conservation efforts. The company adopted sustainable practices in boatbuilding, ensuring that their love for the sea translated into a commitment to preserving it.
The legacy of Westerly Yachts endured through the generations. Samuel Westerly's descendants continued to oversee the shipyard, upholding the traditions of craftsmanship and quality. Westerly Yachts remained a beloved brand among sailors, and every boat that bore the Westerly name carried with it the spirit of adventure and a connection to the sea.
And so, the story of Westerly Yachts became a tale of a coastal town, a dedicated boatbuilder, and a community of sailors who found their dreams and their adventures on the open waters, all thanks to the enduring legacy of Westerly Yachts and the love of the sea that bound them together.
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Matthew Sheahan gets behind the wheel of the Westerly Ocean 37 to find out what she's made of and see how she stacks up against her closest rival from Jeanneau
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Matthew Sheahan investigates a new mid-range cruiser, the Westerly Ocean 37, to find out what you get for your money
There’s one thing that needs clearing up from the start. Whether Westerly intended her parentage to be common knowledge or not, the cat’s now out of the bag.
The new Westerly Ocean 37 has the hull of the early 1990s Dubois-designed Westerly Typhoon.
I’ve a hunch that some may criticise her for this, but not me. Typhoons were popular boats, with the kind of good manners and reputation that gets them into all the best households.
And makes them difficult to find on the second-hand market.
Most are snatched up quickly for the same money as when they were new, something that certainly can’t be said for many of today’s plastic fantasties.
In my book, the Westerly Ocean 37 starts on even points for looks when set against the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 .
She may have a more mature appearance in parts, with her slightly more pronounced overhangs and the square section teak rubbing strake.
But the bottom line is that she’s one of those boats that just looks right and for some buyers that could be all that’s required to tip the balance.
Elsewhere she’s been tweaked to improve her performance, with a larger mainsail and taller mast, along with new keel and rudder foils.
When you compare her with the Jeanneau she sets more sail (33 per cent upwind) and is stiffer which makes her a more potent yacht all round.
But despite turning up the power, she doesn’t feel overpowered. In fact, quite the opposite, thanks partly to the ease with which you can handle her.
A big factor here is the conventional block and tackle mainsheet system in the cockpit which allows quick, simple and safe control by the crew or the helmsman.
Her deep narrow cockpit is good news. It feels very secure when you’re moving about or trimming, especially when heeled.
Under these conditions, and especially when you go to put in a reef, the long trough-like companionway, (a popular detail on the 33 and deliberately included aboard this boat), provides a very safe area from which to operate the reef lines.
Elsewhere her deck layout is similar to the Jeanneau’s although I’d give the Westerly Ocean 37 the edge when it comes to overall quality.
Where she might lose out, however, is in her on-deck stowage-she lacks an anchor locker in the foredeck and a few smaller rope lockers would be useful.
You’d be hard pushed to find a bigger difference between two similar-sized production boats than there is between these two clown below.
Where the Jeanncau is open, spacious and seems more living room than saloon, the Westerly feels small, narrow and traditional.
Rich, deep-coloured teak joinery emphasises the cramped feeling and the steep companionway doesn’t help.
There is no getting away from it, this is a boat with old fashioned values – but don’t write her off just yet.
Within minutes my attention had been drawn away from her chunky looks and solid feel. Lift a few cushions, open a few lockers and you’ll find everywhere behind the scenes has been finished to a high standard.
There’s not a hint or Velcro, nor a single plastic retaining catch to wrestle with at the bottom of a door. Instead, simple pop studs hold cushions in place and brass hooks stop the doors from swinging at sea.
This is a boat that has been built to last, whatever you do with her.
The layout is pretty conventional and broadly mirrors the Jeanncau’s with two double cabins, U-shaped saloon seating with a bench type saloon seat opposite and a galley and navigation station either side of the companionway.
When it comes to the basic construction of hull and deck, she’s built with a solid laminate hull with the additional stiffening laminated into the structure in the normal way.
Even though the Westerly is undoubtedly better finished, there is little to choose between the two if you were looking to base your decision on layout and construction alone. But where they do differ is in their proportions.
The Westerly’s wider side decks make it very much easier to move about on deck but this does cramp her style down below.
In addition to this, more space is given to the dedicated navigation station, where decent provision is made for instruments, charts and general stowage.
The Westerly Ocean 37 has two heads, further reducing available space and, although she has similar saloon seating to the Jeanneau, the Westerly’s feels tighter, more upright and awkward to access.
Add to this the smaller galley worktop space, a considerably smaller fridge and fewer deck hatches, making her interior darker, the overall feel is one of a much smaller boat.
The Westerly has a simple bottlescrew on the backstay and pin stop genoa cars. The Westerly strains at the leash to show you just what she can do. But don’t get me wrong; she’s not a handful – quite the opposite.
The Westerly Ocean 37 is silky smooth, easily driven and quicker on all points of sail, easily slipping along at 6 to 6.2 knots in the same breeze.
There are some boats that just feel like they want to sail all day and night for as long as you like and the Ocean 37 is one of them. Present her with a few waves or a steep wash and she’ll simply slice through them.
She may only be 37ft but the Westerly Ocean 37 is a competent go-anywhere cruiser which is as happy pottering around sheltered waters as she is driving on when the going gets messy offshore.
It is at this point that her tighter-fitting accommodation comes into its own-she’s a far easier boat to move about in underway when pushed than its rival the more spacious Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37.
But not everyone wants to pay for a boat with the kind of off-road capabilities that come as standard with the Westerly.
Indeed, many production builders have seen the opportunity to produce a cruiser that reflects the popular kind of cruising where overnight passages are an exception rather than the rule.
First published in the June 2000 issue of YW.
Watercolour portrait of a Westerly 33, see below for a little history of the design.
To commission a similar, see our boat gallery page for more yacht illustrations and the Commissions page for details of how to order.
A little history of the Westerly 33 from the Westerly Owners Website:
'One of the classic and beautiful Laurent Giles Westerly designs and is considered to be the peak of the Laurent Giles designs. They have an all wood interior which gives added strength and are known to be remarkably strong. The Westerly Discuss "Dodo's Delight" still regularly sails up into Northern Greenland.
Introduced to fill the gap between the W31s (Berwick Longbow Pentland and Renown) and the W36s (Conway, Solway, Galway and Medway). It was a success! With the introduction of Roller Reefing headsails this was really the last major production yacht offerred as a ketch rig as standard layout.
Superseded in 1980 by the Discus'.
https://wiki.westerly-owners.co.uk/index.php?title=W33
Freehand embroidery of sea bream fish
Architectural freehand embroidery - Northwood House Cowes
Watercolour of Bayard's Cove Inn, one of the oldest buildings in Dartmouth
Arts and Crafts architecture in Dartmouth - illustration of Bushell's Restaurant
Quayscape illustrations - from restaurants to boats
Kingswear, a watercolour painting
Cabin cruising yacht, the Westerly 33 - a watercolour illustration
Bavaria 39 cruiser yacht - illustrated in watercolour
Hunter Impala yacht illustration
Fishing for shimmering mackerel - mackerel illustration
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The Westerly Centaur is a timeless sailboat that continues to attract new generations of sailors. Designed by Laurent Giles and built by Westerly Yachts from 1969 to 1980, the Centaur is a popular choice for coastal cruising and weekend getaways. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Westerly Centaur and explore why it's a classic cruiser for modern sailors.
The Westerly Centaur was introduced in 1969 as a replacement for the Westerly 25. It was designed by Laurent Giles, a naval architect known for his work on sailing yachts and motorboats. The Centaur was built by Westerly Yachts, a British boatbuilder that was founded in 1963 and became known for its production of affordable and well-built sailboats.
The Centaur's design features a moderate displacement hull with a full keel, making it a stable and seaworthy boat. It has a beamy, spacious interior with standing headroom and comfortable accommodations for up to six people. The cockpit is roomy and well-protected, with high coamings and a deep well that provides good visibility and security underway.
The Westerly Centaur is not a fast boat, but it's a capable cruiser that can handle a variety of conditions. Its full keel and moderate displacement provide good stability and tracking, making it easy to handle in choppy seas and heavy weather. The Centaur's rig is simple and easy to handle, with a roller furling headsail and slab reefing mainsail. It's a forgiving boat that's well-suited for beginners and experienced sailors alike.
The Westerly Centaur has a spacious and comfortable interior that's well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend getaways. The main saloon features a large dinette that converts to a double berth, as well as a settee berth and quarter berth. The galley is located aft of the saloon and includes a two-burner stove, sink, and icebox. The head is located forward of the saloon and includes a marine toilet and sink.
The Centaur's accommodations are well-designed and comfortable, with plenty of storage space and good natural light and ventilation. The boat's beamy hull provides standing headroom throughout, making it easy to move around and relax onboard.
The Westerly Centaur is a well-built boat that's known for its durability and longevity. Many Centaurs are still sailing today, and parts and support are readily available from Westerly owners' associations and other sources. Routine maintenance includes regular bottom painting, engine and systems checks, and sail and rigging inspections.
Many Centaur owners have also made upgrades and modifications to their boats to improve their performance and comfort. Common upgrades include adding a bow thruster, upgrading the electrical and plumbing systems, and installing a wind generator or solar panels.
The Westerly Centaur is a classic cruiser that continues to attract new generations of sailors. Its timeless design, comfortable accommodations, and reliable performance make it a popular choice for coastal cruising and weekend getaways. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced sailor, the Westerly Centaur is a boat that's sure to provide many years of sailing enjoyment.
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When she was launched, Westerly hoped it had created a boat to suit both the conservative cruising man and the performance-hungry sailor. This tough, no-nonsense boat almost delivered. She’s not great fun in light airs, but a family man looking for an offshore yacht with the ability to take some stick would be hard pushed to find a better second-hand buy at the price.
Westerly yachts are a very common yacht in most British marinas and boat yards. Over the decades, Westerly in its various incarnations dominated the UK leisure yachting industry employing some of the best designers of the day.
The company made many sailing yachts during the mid-1960s, 1970s and 1980s before it ceased trading in the late 1990s. Although the company went through turbulent times, Westerly yachts are renowned for their well-built and rugged construction and were one of Europe’s leading production builder of fibreglass composite sailboats.
In 1963 Commander Denys Rayner, a popular yacht designer designed ‘The Westerly’ – a 22ft yacht at the request of Hilary Scott who wished to set up a new company. Commander Rayner became the managing director of the new company and Scott became one of its non-executive directors.
The company was founded in March 1963 and started production in a clean modern factory unit on a new estate in Waterlooville, 7 miles inland from Portsmouth.
Over the next fifteen years they won several acclaimed Queens Awards for Export in 1969, 1970 and 1977. By the 1990, Edwin Paul took over as MD of Westerly Yachts Limited and the parent company changed its name from Centreway Industries plc to Westerly plc. At the end of 1990, due to the recession, the parent company ran into financial trouble.
The company became Westerly Group Limited in the year 1993 and the yachts were presented as three ranges of Westerly, “the Oceans, the Regattas, and the Victorias”.
In 1995, Westerly Group was acquired by Tony Davies Bowman Group, the parent company of rival Bowman and Starlight Yachts. But in 1998, Bowman hit financial problems and as a result, the Westerly Group Limited was sold to Marigot Group. In the year 2000, the plant and machinery were sold to US Hunter, who had just started up in the UK as Legend.
Westerly yachts are easily identifiable as they are a timeless classic and are amazing cruisers with high standards of craftsmanship, performance and style.
The Westerly Yachts Range consists of three main models:
Popular Westerly models include
Darglow have supplied drag reducing props for many of the models in the Westerly range. We keep an expanding database of technical information on many of our installations along with feedback from our customers.
Check our full list of Westerly boats we have supplied propellers to here.
We have supplied rope cutters for various boats in the Westerly yacht range. We keep an expanding database of technical information on many of our installations along with feedback from our customers.
Check our full list of Westerly boats we have supplied rope cutters for here.
Given the popularity of Westerly yachts over the years there is a strong network of owners and loyal followers. The Westerly Owners Association is the largest yacht owner’s association in the UK with over 2700 members.
https://westerly-owners.co.uk/
Posted on Monday, November 16th, 2020
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The Westerly 22 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of glassfibre, with wood trim.It has a Gunter rig or an optional masthead sloop rig, a spooned raked stem, an angled transom, a skeg-mounted rudder controlled by a tiller and a twin fixed keels.It displaces 3,150 lb (1,429 kg) and carries 1,050 lb (476 kg) of ballast. [1] [2]The boat has a draft of 2.25 ft (0.69 m) with the ...
As of 2020 the Westerly Owners Association is still the biggest yacht owner association in the world. On their website they operate an online market place for used boats or spare parts and a Westerly Wiki. They also organise regular meetings and events. Westerly Classes . Some examples of Westerly Class models: Nimrod, 18", 1968
Westerly Marine Construction of Hampshire, England, was one of Europe's leading production builder of fiberglass composite sailboats from the mid 1960's through the 1970's. Became part of the Bowman Group in the mid 1990's. Years in Business: 1964 - 2000. Sailboats Built By Westerly Marine Construction Ltd. (Dates indicate when boat was first ...
The Beginings. Around the start of 1963 Commander Denys Rayner, an established yacht designer (see Before Westerly), was approached by Hilary Scott, a man of some means, to design a GRP yacht to be built by a new company he wanted set up.Rayner designed "The Westerly" - a 22ft yacht similar in some respects to a wooden yacht he had designed earlier; the boat was subsequently renamed the ...
Displacement: 3,863kg / 8,516 lb. Ballast: 1,451kg / 3,200 lb. Sail area: 36.33 m² / 391 sq ft. Price range: £10,000 - £30,000. Rachael Sprot joins one family who've re-purchased the Westerly Konsort they commissioned more than 40 years ago to find out if the boat's had her day.
Westerly sailboats were built by Westerly Marine Construction, Ltd., a company that was founded by Commander Denys Rayner in the early 1960's. Rayner was a sailboat designer at heart with a passion for rugged little boats that could be taken to sea and brought home with little fuss. In fact, he wrote several books on sailing small crafts, and ...
Westerly Centaur: 2,500 of which were sold in a 10 year run starting in 1969. Westerly's first product was the Westerly 22 - a distinctive fibreglass boat that offered surprisingly good internal space, twin keels and shallow draught, and an easily handled rig. Over the next four years almost 800 boats based on the same hull were built ...
Founded by Cmdr. D.A. Raynor who also designed the companies earlier models. Westerly Marine Construction of Hampshire, England, was one of Europe's leading production builder of fiberglass composite sailboats from the mid 1960's through the 1970's. Became part of the Bowman Group in the mid 1990's.
List of All Westerly Models. 22 1971. 26 Centaur 1972. 33 Longbow Ketch 1975. 33 Ocean 2000. 38 Oceanranger 1991. Berwick From 1975 To 1977. Berwick - Bilge keel 1973. Centaur 1973. Centaur 26 B Layout 1979. Conway 36 ... ©2022 Boats and Yachts Detailed Data And Technical Specs (Dimensions, Prices, Weight and Engine Power) ...
The Legacy of Westerly Yachts: Once upon a time, in a picturesque coastal town named Harborville, there was an old shipyard known as "Seafarer's Cove." For generations, Seafarer's Cove had been a hub of boatbuilding, known for crafting some of the finest vessels that ever sailed the open sea. Among the many renowned boats built there, one brand ...
The design was built by Westerly Marine Construction in the United Kingdom between 1969 and 1976, with 284 boats completed. It was replaced in the company product line by the Westerly Pembroke. Design. The Tiger 25 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of glassfibre, with wood trim.
Denys Rayner in 1943. Denys Arthur Rayner DSC & Bar, VRD, RNVR (9 February 1908 - 4 January 1967) was a Royal Navy officer who fought throughout the Battle of the Atlantic.After intensive war service at sea, Rayner became a writer, a farmer, and a successful designer and builder of small sailing craft - his first being the Westcoaster; his most successful being the glass fibre gunter or ...
The Westerly Ocean 37 is silky smooth, easily driven and quicker on all points of sail, easily slipping along at 6 to 6.2 knots in the same breeze. There are some boats that just feel like they ...
Watercolour portrait of a Westerly 33, see below for a little history of the design. To commission a similar, see our boat gallery page for more yacht illustrations and the Commissions page for details of how to order.A little history of the Westerly 33 from the Westerly Owners Website:'One of the classic and beautiful Laurent Giles Westerly designs and is considered to be the peak of the ...
Westerly Boats is a British yacht building company founded in 1963. On YachtWorld we offer Westerly boats such as the westerly pageant for sale. Westerly yachts offers boat hull types including monohull, displacement and other that are frequently used for traditional, time-honored boating pursuits such as overnight cruising, sailing ...
The Westerly Centaur was introduced in 1969 as a replacement for the Westerly 25. It was designed by Laurent Giles, a naval architect known for his work on sailing yachts and motorboats. The Centaur was built by Westerly Yachts, a British boatbuilder that was founded in 1963 and became known for its production of affordable and well-built ...
Westerly Storm 33. Manufacturer: Westerly. Price as reviewed: £30,000.00. When she was launched, Westerly hoped it had created a boat to suit both the conservative cruising man and the performance-hungry sailor. This tough, no-nonsense boat almost delivered. She's not great fun in light airs, but a family man looking for an offshore yacht ...
W. Westerly 22. Categories: Sailboat types by manufacturer. Sailboat types built in the United Kingdom. Westerly Marine Construction.
Westerly yachts are a very common yacht in most British marinas and boat yards. Over the decades, Westerly in its various incarnations dominated the UK leisure yachting industry employing some of the best designers of the day. Westerly Yacht History. The company made many sailing yachts during the mid-1960s, 1970s and 1980s before it ceased ...
Westerly Corsair. £31,950 UK. Westerly Oceanlord. €79,950 Ireland. Westerly, Westerly boats for sale, Apollo Duck new and used yacht sales. Sell your Westerly fast with a free photo advert. Find your Westerly in our database of yachts, sailing boats, sloops, yawls, ketches, catamarans and racers.
The Nomad 22 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of glassfibre, with wood trim.It has a masthead sloop rig, a spooned raked stem, an angled transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and twin fixed keels, plus a centre skeg.It displaces 3,150 lb (1,429 kg) and carries 1,050 lb (476 kg) of ballast. [1] [3]The boat has a draft of 2.25 ft (0.69 m) with the ...
Weatherly is a keel sloop designed to the 12-metre Rule. She was designed by Philip Rhodes and built by Luders Marine Construction Company at Stamford, Connecticut in 1958 for a syndicate of owners formed by New York Yacht Club members Henry D. Mercer, Cornelius S. Walsh and Arnold D. Frese. Her construction consists of African mahogany double planking on white oak frames.
S. Categories: Manufacturing companies established in 1964. Yacht building companies. British boat builders. Defunct sailboat manufacturers. 1964 establishments in England. 2000 disestablishments in England.