The Westsail 32 Sailboat

The Westsail 32 design has a long history. The hull shape is descended from the double-ended pilot and rescue boats designed by the Norwegian naval architect Colin Archer. These boats were designed for extreme seaworthiness in the rough conditions of the North Sea. The late 19th century Archer design was first adapted for pleasure sailing by William Atkin, who, in 1928, designed a 32-foot (9.8 m) double-ended boat called Eric based on Archer's 47’ rescue boat design. This design was later refined into Thistle, which replaced Eric's gaff rig with a bermuda rig, and has a flush deck. The Westsail 32 was directly derived from the earlier Kendall 32, of which only a few were made, and was adapted for fibreglass construction by William Crealock.

The Westsail 32 is not known for being a fast boat, but rather for being a sturdy and reliable one. She has a hull speed of about 7 knots (13 km/h), but her average speed in cruising conditions is likely to be lower, depending on the wind, waves, and load. She can carry a lot of weight without affecting her performance too much, which makes her ideal for long-distance voyages.

The Westsail 32 is widely regarded as one of the most seaworthy sailboats ever built. She has a reputation for being able to handle any weather and sea condition, and for being able to survive storms that would sink other boats. Her double-ended hull shape, heavy displacement, and low center of gravity make her stable and resistant to broaching and capsizing. Her thick fiberglass hull and solid construction make her strong and durable. Many Westsail 32 owners have sailed across oceans and around the world in their boats, proving their seaworthiness.

The Westsail 32 has a spacious and cozy interior, with plenty of headroom, storage space, and ventilation. She can accommodate up to seven people, although four or five would be more comfortable. She has a V-berth forward, followed by a head with shower, a main saloon with two settees that can convert to berths, a U-shaped galley to port, and a quarter berth to starboard. 

The price of a Westsail 32 depends on the condition, equipment, and location of the boat. A new Westsail 32 kit cost about $12,000 in the early 1970s, but most owners spent much more to finish and outfit their boats. A used Westsail 32 can range from $20,000 to $80,000 or more today, depending on the market and the quality of the boat.

Tere are many resources available for anyone interested in learning more about the Westsail 32. Some of them are:

• The book "Westsail: The World's Best Sailboat" by Bud Taplin, the former general manager of Westsail Corporation and the current owner of Worldcruiser Yacht Company, which provides parts and services for Westsail boats;

• The website of "Worldcruiser Yacht Company", which has a lot of information, photos, and videos about the Westsail 32 and other Westsail models.

• The website of the "Westsail Owners Association", which has a forum, a newsletter, a registry, and other resources for Westsail owners and enthusiasts.

• The Facebook group "Westsail Owners Group", which has over 2,000 members who share their experiences, advice, and photos of their Westsail boats.

• The YouTube channel "Westsail 32", which has dozens of videos of Westsail 32 boats sailing, cruising, and being restored.