Westsail 28 Vs Baba 30

[Curmudgeon]

I'm 6'2 and can stand upright (but just barely) in the Baba 30. Don't know about the Westsail. I almost bought a Baba but the wooden spars and the name ( Seven C's) put me off.

As for the dockominium aspect, do you prefer the IKEA look or a smallish college fraternity house oozing teak? If the latter, get the Baba. An oriental runner is de rigeur in a Baba.

[barnakiel]

The thing I do not like about the Westsail is its cockpit. The thing I like about the Westsail is its ... cockpit.

Baba looks like the one that should sail better in less wind. Westsail looks like the one that can be used to chop the reef with. (But do not try this at home with any boat).

I do not like teak decks, bowsprits and outboard chainplates.

b.

[Doodles]

Not sure if the OP is thinking of living aboard, but since we lived aboard ours for a couple years I will say we had no problems with the space and inside height and I'm 6' 1". We found it quite roomy for a couple.

We bought not the last hull, but I think the last one the old dealer Flying Dutchman in Seattle owned. The later models like ours had aluminum spars not wood, and less teak around the cockpit and on the cabin top but still PLENTY of teak. We loved the look but oh the maintenance ... never again.

[pressuredrop]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I do not like teak decks, bowsprits and outboard chainplates.

b.

i understand the teak deck part, but the other two, really, i mean come on, no way..

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by pressuredrop

i understand the teak deck part, but the other two, really, i mean come on, no way..

a) get a longer mast,
b) only till you rub your off at while docked alongside a rough wall,

Let's not forget the fact that both are double-enders and as such not most conductive to being stern-to. The bowsprit makes it more difficult to climb the boat thru the bow AND is a danger to any absent-minded dock walker. I am a dock walker and I got my share of bruises by now. Then, there is the question of how the mast is supported. If the bowsprit is just a sprit to keep the kite poled out then no problem (and it will very likely be retactable - this is the sprit I do like). But if the outer stay supports the mast and runs from the bowsprit, what supports the mast if you break the bowsprit (or lose the bobstay)?

I found outer chainplates both too exposed and prone to leaks. If made in SS, they will also get their share of sun/salt/and sikaflex which are all conductive to pitting. Not to say that inboard chainplates do not have their set of challenges. But at least they stay put in very unwelcome but at times inevitable close encounters with floating, or not, objects.

b.