Westerly Corsair 36 vs Hallberg Rassy 352

[segalla]

Hi everbody,
I'm in a process of buying Westerly or Rassy (models mentioned in title), my general plan is to go from Med, across Atlantic ocean to Carribean next year. Then I just don't know my way further (hopefully pacific).
Please give me pros and cons on this boats. I'll be sailing single handed for about half of time.
Thx,
Andrej

[boatman61]

Personally I'd pick the Westerly.. they're good strong boats and the walk through aft double is nice..
For me the teak deck on the Rassy would be a killer for the Med and Tropics.. and the aft cabin only any use for storage.
But.. being a Westerly Lover.. I'm biased..

[El Pinguino]

Unlike him ^^^^^^ I'm not even remotely biased.

For starters you are probably paying 100% premium for the HR name. Bit of a no brainer for me.

Corsair is the little sister ( 2 foot shorter ) of the Sealord... the best Westerly ever built.

Worn treadmaster decks are not a major drama to replace.

Are you looking at the ketch or the sloop? I don't think I would bother with the ketch but I believe they are rather rare.

[barnakiel]

I know HR352 boats pretty well. A HR352 will be the slower boat. The Corsair will be more lively and nearly certainly will point higher. More fun to sail, no doubt.

The Westerlies have much more light down below, HR352 is pretty dark inside.

You will nearly definitely not find a HR352 with a grp deck. Westerlies often come with grp deck.

HR352 has a supreme cockpit - deep, protected and comfortable.

IMHO Corsair could be the better boat for most owners. I would buy a HR352 only for its structural strength and ability to take rough conditions in its stride.

Otherwise both boats are very good tools from respected builders.

b.

[segalla]

Thanks for your info, I'm looking for sloop version of Westerly.

[Mike Paget]

I have had my Corsair for 24 years and she has been worked hard and it shows especially the Treadmaster but it still works fine looks a bit tatty, in all that time I have never seen a Ketch or a bilge keel model, I have however seen a picture of a Ketch on a brochure somewhere. I have inmast main with vertical batons and furling headsail, I sail almost everywhere solo, have a great autopilot which is connected to the steering quadrent. I also have a Hydovane self steering gear solar panels which work better than the Air X wind generator, sorry shouldn't go but I love my Corsair. The mark 2 I think is possible better than the ma k I but I am biased, mine was launched in 1988 I bought her in 1992.
Good sailing Mike.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Mike Paget

I have had my Corsair for 24 years and she has been worked hard and it shows especially the Treadmaster but it still works fine looks a bit tatty, in all that time I have never seen a Ketch or a bilge keel model, I have however seen a picture of a Ketch on a brochure somewhere. I have inmast main with vertical batons and furling headsail, I sail almost everywhere solo, have a great autopilot which is connected to the steering quadrent. I also have a Hydovane self steering gear solar panels which work better than the Air X wind generator, sorry shouldn't go but I love my Corsair. The mark 2 I think is possible better than the ma k I but I am biased, mine was launched in 1988 I bought her in 1992.
Good sailing Mike.

I saw a Corsair ketch in Auckland in 2015.... she had come out sometime in the previous few years from Portugal.
Maybe they only built one ( I think they only built one Sealord ketch).

[weavis]

Ive had 2 Westerlys. Still have one.

Going for a Catamaran but keeping the Westerly. If I dont get the Cat I will consider a larger Westerly. Price and comfort suit my pocket. Im not in the big income bracket.

Im with Boatman on the Westerlys.

(Did I say Westerly enough times?)

[Jim Cate]

Hey Ping! Are you in Chile yet?

Jim

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by weavis

......

(Did I say Westerly enough times?)

You forgot to say 'Dodo's Delight' ... but so did I...

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Hey Ping! Are you in Chile yet?

Jim

No, still 'en transito'...

The Corsair in Auckland is now on the market with an ask of $NZ99K, needed a bit of work last time I saw her...

[segalla]

Thank you all for your info. I think I'm going for Westerly......

[Casey74]

Good for you, Seagalla. Our '84 Westerly Corsair has taken us far and away & we love her! We looked at other boats when we retired but didn't see anything that could match her!
Look closely at the vinyl on any Westerly you're considering. That foam gets old & the vinyl sags. It's worth the work of replacing it; note the term WORK! But the boat will gladden your heart!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Casey74

Good for you, Seagalla. Our '84 Westerly Corsair has taken us far and away & we love her! We looked at other boats when we retired but didn't see anything that could match her!
Look closely at the vinyl on any Westerly you're considering. That foam gets old & the vinyl sags. It's worth the work of replacing it; note the term WORK! But the boat will gladden your heart!

Yup.. that's the only negative in them.