Westsail 32 - Opinions Needed !

[cburger]

Originally Posted by GWB

Your continued insistence that W32 owners think that the W32 is the best "in each and every aspect" reveals more about your motives here than anything else Nick. Looking back through the thread, I see that we Westsail owners have all readily admitted points in our boats that we don't think its the best at.
Having said that, the thread also reveals that we are one bunch of happy owners... isn't that interesting?

Perhaps you secretly long for a Westsail 32?

Clearly a case of bowsprit envy.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by GWB

Your continued insistence that W32 owners think that the W32 is the best "in each and every aspect" reveals more about your motives here than anything else Nick. Looking back through the thread, I see that we Westsail owners have all readily admitted points in our boats that we don't think its the best at.

Okay, fair enough. List those points. That is the kind of info that was requested by the OP, not if it wins the races etc.

cheers,
Nick.

[GWB]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Okay, fair enough. List those points. That is the kind of info that was requested by the OP, not if it wins the races etc.

cheers,
Nick.

OK ok ok. Bad points:

1.) The boat seems to attract a fair number of deranged "go fast aircraft carrier appearing" boat owners who think they are Gods gift to the rest of us sailors.

2.) Some of these people cannot seem to read.

I'll work on the rest later...

[hummingway]

Sigh. I think all the bickering is uncalled for and you know what? It'll stop if you stop or I step in.

The choice is yours.

[Ocean Girl]

I'll give my two cents.
First off I love WS, I nearly bought a WS28 before I found my CD30.
In the process of inspecting and sailing a few 32s i decided they were not the boats or me.

Still can't help but stick up for the beautiful vessels

Points I liked:
beefy. They are just plain strong, period. Layout is smart and seaworthy. Overall design is smart and seaworthy. I realize these were kit boats too, so quality may vary.



Points I didn't like:
For some reason I found the 32 uncomfortable. Yes i know, It defies the motion comfort ratings but I hated her motion, felt beat up every time I sailed her. I also found it very hard at times to steer when going to weather. I could steer her, but it took energy, and in heavy weather with slapping seas it took a lot of energy.

West sails are not for everyone, but they are perfect for some.

Hope that helps a little,
Mrs. Rain Dog

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by GWB

Your continued insistence that W32 owners think that the W32 is the best "in each and every aspect" reveals more about your motives here than anything else Nick. Looking back through the thread, I see that we Westsail owners have all readily admitted points in our boats that we don't think its the best at.
Having said that, the thread also reveals that we are one bunch of happy owners... isn't that interesting?

Perhaps you secretly long for a Westsail 32?

Maybe I missed the part about what you think is not so good about a W32. As far as I gather from the posts it is fast on all points of sail, regularly beats the go-fast boats, has massive load capablity, is easy to sail, the 40 foot overall length is not an issue and is well priced. Where are the downsides? It sounds like perfect boat to me.

[cburger]

It sounds like perfect boat to me.[/QUOTE]

Close to it, however the aft lazarette on my boat as currently configured would allow water into the engine room if the hatch was lost and could potentially sink the boat. Another issue is the anchor locker drains onto the upper bilge that also houses the water tanks, the water will run under the tanks and depending on the material the tank bottoms rust out.

[GWB]

Originally Posted by hummingway

Sigh. I think all the bickering is uncalled for and you know what? It'll stop if you stop or I step in.

The choice is yours.

You're right.. I probably shouldn't have posted that. Apologies.

Back to the W32. Someone mentioned that it would be good to make a list of positives and negatives for the boat.
Right now I don't have the time to list everything that has been mentioned on this thread.
A negative that I mentioned earlier:
The boat does not back up under power well. It walks hard to the left (my boat has a right hand prop)

[GWB]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Maybe I missed the part about what you think is not so good about a W32. As far as I gather from the posts it is fast on all points of sail, regularly beats the go-fast boats, has massive load capablity, is easy to sail, the 40 foot overall length is not an issue and is well priced. Where are the downsides? It sounds like perfect boat to me.

Backing down. Post #154

[gjordan]

For all of the lovers and haters of Westsails, there happen to be three listed on the Lattitude 38 web site right now. One of them seems to be pretty low priced, but that could be from anything. Again I say that they are not my design of choice but they are rock solid.____Grant.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by GWB

Backing down. Post #154

Probably not enough to keep it off my list

[Dkdoyle]

Always lived the west sail. Mainly because I love the sturdiness and double Enders. Would not be real practical on west coast of Florida with light winds and shallow water but I still dream of them

[malbert73]

What a nice solid boat the W32 seems like. My main complaint is the rather cramped cockpit and lack of after deck. Great for serious oceangoing passages but not great room for stretching out at anchor....

[GWB]

So I started making a list of positive points as well as negative that have been listed on this thread. It is quite revealing.. I got to post #112


Negative:
Low SA/D Post #4
Don’t perform in light air #11 -disproved
Wet #12 -not in my experience, but any boat can get wet in the right conditions
Doesn’t go to weather#12 -disproved
Sailing tubs#46 - poster with an agenda.
Cozy interior#61 -I see this as a plus, but the interior is big for a 32' boat.
Couples boat#61 -also a plus, not a floating condo
Not fast#78 -not slow either ..some make the boat go fast.
Dinosaur#82 -somebody with an agenda made this statement.
Needs a 40’ slip #155 -does not always cost more as shown
Walks sideways in reverse #154 -have learnt how to work around this
Detractors are often deranged #288 -don't why some want to belittle this boat.
Uncomfortable #290 - not in my experience.
Hard to sail to weather #290 - ditto
Cramped cockpit and lack of after deck #298 - the price for a seaworthy small boat. A trade-off.

Positive:
Owner support through Bud Taplin Post #2
Bullet proof #4
Respectable cruising mileage over long cruises #6
Light air performer #9
Won Pac cup #9
Safe and sturdy #11
Great interior space #12
Salty look #12
Good waterline length #12
Price #14
Plentiful #14
Support #14
Tough #17
Owners love them #41
Capable #61
Large cabin #62
Not as slow as critics would have you believe #78
Sturdy #78
Stable #86
Pretty#112
Good motion comfort #154
Easy to sail #154
Thick hull with no core #154
Heavy spar and rig #154
Outboard rudder #154
Boomkin good for hanging a windvane on #154
Parts available still #154
Owners are generally a nice bunch #163
Rock solid #295

Load carrying capability

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by GWB

So I started making a list of positive points as well as negative that have been listed on this thread. It is quite revealing.. I got to post #112

Negative:
Low SA/D Post #4
Don’t perform in light air #11 -disproved
Wet #12 -not in my experience, but any boat can get wet in the right conditions
Doesn’t go to weather#12 -disproved
Sailing tubs#46 - poster with an agenda.
Cozy interior#61 -I see this as a plus, but the interior is big for a 32' boat.
Couples boat#61 -also a plus, not a floating condo
Not fast#78 -not slow either ..some make the boat go fast.
Dinosaur#82 -somebody with an agenda made this statement.
Needs a 40’ slip #155 -does not always cost more as shown
Walks sideways in reverse #154 -have learnt how to work around this
Detractors are often deranged #288 -don't why some want to belittle this boat.
Uncomfortable #290 - not in my experience.
Hard to sail to weather #290 - ditto
Cramped cockpit and lack of after deck #298 - the price for a seaworthy small boat. A trade-off.

Positive:
Owner support through Bud Taplin Post #2
Bullet proof #4
Respectable cruising mileage over long cruises #6
Light air performer #9
Won Pac cup #9
Safe and sturdy #11
Great interior space #12
Salty look #12
Good waterline length #12
Price #14
Plentiful #14
Support #14
Tough #17
Owners love them #41
Capable #61
Large cabin #62
Not as slow as critics would have you believe #78
Sturdy #78
Stable #86
Pretty#112
Good motion comfort #154
Easy to sail #154
Thick hull with no core #154
Heavy spar and rig #154
Outboard rudder #154
Boomkin good for hanging a windvane on #154
Parts available still #154
Owners are generally a nice bunch #163
Rock solid #295

Load carrying capability

Look at page 27 of sail magazine Feb 2012 issue. Another notch in the Westsail belt. Nice, and a perfect fit for this boat. Big kudos to the 84 year old who is trying to sail it around the Cape...

Seeing pix of cockpit, it is clearly testimony about boats being purpose built.

I bought another ocean capable overbuilt classic, but ruled out the Westsail for myself early due to cramped cockpit space, which is where I spend most of my time. If I were rounding Cape Horn, I am sure I would think differently.

And although I think my Luders also can surprise folks with light air performance, by no means would I label it or a Westsail as a "light air performer" which seems a bit overstated...