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For Tempest245, The Westsails are surprizingly fast as long as you don't try and go in the wrong direction and winds cooperate. We averaged 118nm through the water measured on our Walker Log. Did 900 miles in six days and a best days run of 178nm. San Diego to Hiva Oa, Marquesas in 22 days. We did not use the engine except to charge batteries and get in and out of Harbors. Becalmed for two days in the doldrums on the way down to the Marquesas.
Having said that, the W32 is not a light air flyer. They will move in light air but practically any fin keel will be faster in winds under 5knots. They will not go hard on the wind in light air and a chop. The bluff bow of the W32 virtually stops the boat with each wave in those conditions. If you just crack off 10 degrees they will foot well but will not point with an IOR racer in any conditions. We did do 4 days hard on the wind to lay Hiva Oa. Averaged 125nm day and were relatively comfortable with no pounding and almost no spray coming off the bow. Like all full keel boats, the slack bilges mean they heel initially then stiffen up. The motion is easy so the heel is easy to deal with but not a boat for those who demand multihull type upright sailing. BTW, we never touched the helm while sailing. The Aries steered the boat if it would sail. We sailed with hank on sails. Loved the true cutter rig. We only made one sail change from ghosting to 40 knots. We had a Reacher/Drifter for light air and reaching conditions. It came down at about 10knots on the wind and 15 or so off the wind. Sailed with a slightly oversized Yankee Jib and a max sized loose footed Staysail in the trades. If I still had the boat, I thought seriously about buying it back btw, I'd go with an Asymetric Spinnaker and Genoa as well as the working suit of sails with a largish jib on roller furling that I could roll in as necessary. Dropping the jib cost us a knot in boat speed. The slot between the Jib and Staysail provided tons of drive from the relatively small area of the headsails.
One thing that I really miss about the W32 is the Bulwarks. Never felt at risk or concerned about going forward with the tall lifelines and bulwarks. A secure feeling I miss on the Pearson.
The W32 is not a fun boat to sail. They are extremely heavy and gain momentum rather than accelerate. Being directionally stable, they also don't react to helm inputs quickly. They don't run out of rudder, however. Never had the boat round-up uncontrollably no matter how insane the angle of heel and/or how much overcanvassed. A W32 is not a daysailor for those looking for excitement. They are stately matrons who always are under control and just eat up the miles.
Aloha
Peter O.
Pearson 35
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