W33/Discus bilge keels.

[Chausey]

I have been advised that the W33/Discus bilge keels may require stengthening. Is this correct? Is it all hulls or just early ones? If so how do I tell if mine require it? Are there any details anywhere that show what is required?
Many thanks in advance,
Allan

[sakean99]

Not personnally heard this one - my Pentland has never needed any re-inforcing despite some 25 years on drying moorings under my ownership. Some early Centaurs needed the work if on mud berths which tend to "suck" the keels in & out as they sink into & rise out of deep mud. This tendency is aggravated by the slight splaying of the keels.

Was any damage pointed out to demonstrate the need for reinforcing? Are there any gaps in the keel/hull joint? Any stress cracks inside or out?

Incidentally I am no expert, just another owner (if only of a W31!)

[GTom12]

Sorry to revive an ancient thread. Heard that early Fulmars needed strengthening, anything related in Discus, produced around 1980?

[Jolly Roger]

My Fulmar is one of the early fin keel boats not yet been reinforced. It is due to be done in the very near future. I know how to check on a fin keeled boat, other than checking the lay up on the keel rib, but unsure how it is checked on a bilge keel boat.

Best advice would be to contact Trafalgar Yacht Services as they have lots of knowledge on the history of Westerly and can supply spare parts for most Westerly yachts. http://www.westerly-yachts.co.uk/

[steve parry]

Hi,

I agree with Sakean (I am also a Pentland owner) I have never heard of this and I have been around Westerly yachts some 32 Years (showing my age now!!), I also second the comment on 'check with Trafalgar Yachts' or perhaps you might get some W33 owner advising you on this Forum in due course.

Regards

Steve Parry - WALKABOUT

[steve parry]

Hi,

Just read it again, you have posted under a W33 heading but your question is about a Fulmar keel not a W33. In that case I can't help you, sorry

Regards

Steve Parry - WALABOUT

[GTom12]

Nope, it's about the Discus (bilge) keel

...anything related in Discus, produced around 1980?

[Jolly Roger]

Steve

GTom12 has been considering a Fulmar, but his wife suggested a Discus. The early Fulmars did have a weak keel rib, so GTom12 was asking if the same thing happened with the Discus. A fair question for a potential buyer.

[steve parry]

Hi,

Ref Discus bilge keel problems, I have never heard of any problems but I will stand corrected if a Discus owner, knows of a problem (they seem to have kept quite on the Forum) I would recommend that you contact one of the Boatline Members for the Discus(names in the handbook) and ask them the same question.

Regards

Steve Parry - WALKABOUT

[GTom12]

I saw in a bilge-keeled Discus advertisement: " Twin keels (mountings reinforced)." Probably there was a reason behind... What budget should one expect for such an "upgrade"?

[GTom12]

Apparently I shouldn't have the Westerly wiki out of my homework : https://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/weste ... ding_Keels

It seems to me, that structural strengthening is/was necessary and resealing (2k £) in approx. every decade. So far haven't read about any Westerly loosing keel underway:)

[Jolly Roger]

I saw in a bilge-keeled Discus advertisement: " Twin keels (mountings reinforced)." Probably there was a reason behind... What budget should one expect for such an "upgrade"?

Having tracked down the source of this story. https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/bilg ... ost-822180
The poster making these comments is not a yacht builder but an amateur rowing boat builder who sails an old yacht and does not know what he is talking about most of the time. He is asking basic questions on this small web site and is talking without personal experience of Westerly yachts, unless his working with a friend on insurance wrecks counts.

For more detailed information on this subject. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.ph ... ost6311776

Unless bar room gossip like this is stopped, it can persuade some people from buying Westerly yachts. All Westerly owners know how well built their boats are and that is why Westerly yachts sell for a premium over similar sized and aged boats.

[Jolly Roger]

Apparently I shouldn't have the Westerly wiki out of my homework : https://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/weste ... ding_Keels

It seems to me, that structural strengthening is/was necessary and resealing (2k £) in approx. every decade. So far haven't read about any Westerly loosing keel underway:)

Unlike some more modern built yachts, Westerly yachts keep their keels whilst sailing. In fact they they will take a lot more punishment than many newer boats due to the traditional solid hull layup. Personally I do not like anything else for a hull, as sandwich construction of topsides to save weight can have delamination problems. The Hazar 30 for an extreme case, just click on problems. http://www.channelpilot.info/prospero.php

[GTom12]

"Modern boats loosing keel" is not new, see the Cheeki Rafiki case and the Belgian boat builder killed by his own design. Apparently many Westerly's got a lot more abuse that could take out any boat - and that for years. As I understood insurers nowadays require the hulls to be strengthened, thus lack of strengthening/delamination of the layup should show up in the insurance survey.

[GTom12]

Just found on another forum:

the last Griffon without fortified stubs was sail number 281

Griffons were phased out in 1981. If I opt for a Discus from '82-84, they should be a stronger construction, right?