Monday, June 18, 2012

The Very First Westerly

By: Dennis A. Rayner – Originally Published in Twin-Keeler Newsletter, Summer, 1999 (Paper-Edition) – Adopted by: Kenneth Butterly

How We Designed The Westerly

Customers’ Needs – based on experience – came first 

 

In this design we have done our best to get away from the normal appearance of a plastic boat. Two heavy teak rubbing strips on each side go along way towards achieving this aim. The decks, after special preparation, are painted with International non-slip deck paint. The toe rails, the cabin trunk and the cockpit are of teak. We believe that in Westerly we have made the best possible use of old

and new materials, and a really shipshape appearance is the result.

Westerly is a twin-keeled sloop, with full hydrofoil sectioned keels toed-in 2 degrees.  The twin keels and the skeg form a three-point landing so that she always settles easily when she dries out or is put on a trailer. The heavy mahogany skeg on which the rudder is hung is far enough away from the keels to avoid hydrodynamic interference between one keel appendage and another, The rudder blade is turned well up to avoid damage when grounding.  

The twin-keel design, with the ballast weights on the keels, ensures that Westerly makes very little leeway; also, it makes her remarkably stable.  The hydrofoil acts in the same way as an airplane wing; it develops “lift” towards the curved surface, and this produces a thrust to windward.  On the wind, Westerly’s performance is a great deal better than many keel boats, and when running, the twin-keels and long skeg hold the ship to her course; she always feels even larger than she really is.  Her great stability is a result of the high ballast/weight ratio attained by the use of glass fibre construction.  In the case of Westerly, this ratio is 42 per cent.  This should compare with the ration of most wooden cruising yachts which is more generally in the region of 33 per cent.  Westerly will heave to and she is so well balanced that she can be handled under either mainsail or jib alone.

Built to Lloyd’s series production schedule

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  Everything about the hull and decks is built under Lloyd’s supervision and to their approval. The much-prized certificate can only be obtained after Lloyd’s surveyor’s closest inspection of the factory and of the boat during its building. Each hull is supplied with a Lloyds Certificate. This will be found in the future to have a very large effect on the second-hand value of any plastic boat built since Lloyd’s introduced this extremely worthwhile standard.

In the manufacture of plastic-reinforced laminates, the factory building itself, as well as the skill of the workmen, contribute to a satisfactory product. In our new building, thanks to cavity brick
walls and an insulated

roof, with fans and heaters which control both temperature and humidity, we achieve a standard of resin cure which cannot be improved upon by any other boat builder; for it is on the carefully controlled transformation of the wet mat into a solid laminate that success depends.

A good plastic laminate is stronger and lasts longer with less maintenance than any other boatbuilding material yet devised.  The Royal Navy now use it for all boats under 32 feet long, and, at both the Hamburg and New York boat shows in 1963, more than fifty percent of the exhibits were classed as of glass fibre construction.

We are always pleased to show perspective purchasers round our plant, where visitors are very welcome to see full details of the construction of Westerly both in drawings and in fact.

Fire risk reduced to a minimum

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  There is no greater fire risk with glass fibre than with wood (and wood itself, when it has been built into a hull, is not easy to ignite). Fire at sea is neither caused nor prevented by the structure of the ship. It comes from what is carried in her and is nearly always the result of bad storage or faulty handling of inflammable liquids or gas.  There is no greater fire risk with glass fibre than with wood (and wood itself, when it has been built into a hull, is not easy to ignite).

Fire at sea is neither caused nor prevented by the structure of the ship.  It comes from what is carried in her and is nearly always the result of bad storage or faulty handling of inflammable liquids or gas.

We as designers, cannot prevent mistakes at sea, but we can at least build our boats with special and adequate compartments for the two most dangerous liquids – petrol and bottled gas. 

In Westerly we have provided safe storage in a way which we do not think has ever been done before in a boat of this size and price.  Two separate watertight and vented spaces have been built into the stern.  One of these will hold two gas bottles and the other a five-gallon petrol tank.  The floors of both compartments slope aft and have open drains through the counter so that any spillage or leakage can immediately escape outboard.  There is a great reduction in the fire hazard with this arrangement, which, in our opinion, should be obligatory on all cabin cruisers.

Economy

It is now generally recognized that boats of glass fibre construction are more economical to maintain than those built of any other material, both in ease of maintenance and in freedom from large repairs.  Two people working for two weekends should be able to complete with ease the annual repaint and revarnish of the exterior.

(Editors Note: Sailors are still asking the same question.)

So much for the short-term view, but real economy should be considered over the normal useful life of any product.  In the course of years many wooden and steel boats develop defects which call for heavy expenditure if their fabric is to be kept in perfect condition.

The US Customs Authority has recently completed a ten-year trial and has reported exhaustively on three boats built of glass fibre to the same common design as their boats with wooden and steel hulls.  At the end of the ten-year period, the glass fibre hulls, tested scientifically showed no significant deterioration and carefully kept cost figures proved the remarkable economy in maintenance of the laminated plastic construction.  The maintenance costs of the three boats examined were in every case less than one fifth of the cost of wooden or steel hulls in comparable service.

In other words, glass fibre can offer, over the years, an 80 percent reduction in maintenance    cost.

Design for spaciousness

The feeling of space in Westerly’s cabin is a continual surprise to visitors.  In this boat, the space taken up by each item has been so carefully regulated by experienced designed that the cabin feels even bigger than it really is.  There are over 64 cubic feet of deep and easily reached lockers in the cabin furniture, besides four drawers, pan locker, galley, sink, cupboard and adequate

  hanging space. Our drawings give an overall impression of the lay-out and appearance of the cabin, but only a visit can really give an idea of the comfort aboard.

Westerly has two 6 feet 6 inch berths and two 6 feet 3 inch forward berths which can be made into a double by inserting an additional mattress between them. If required the forward

compartment can be made into a separate cabin, ensuring privacy.

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A marine-type lavatory is fitted in the forward cabin, and a double-burner cooker and sink amidships. In the cabin, the ship’s side is paneled in foam rubber and Vynide to match the cushions. This keeps the cabin cool in the summer and warm at the beginning and end of the season.

 

In really cold weather, the cabin can be warmed by using the Calor-gas operated cabin heater which we have designed especially for use in our boats.

The cockpit

The cockpit is self-draining, with sea-cocks fitted to both drains.  All the woodwork, seats and floor are of African teak.  The seat backrest is deep and set at a comfortable angle against which to lean.  A lifting tiller is standard equipment and greatly increases the effective size of the cockpit.

Advantages of the outboard engine

  Now that outboard engines are so very reliable and those with rubber mountings so quiet, there are great advantages in adopting this type of engine for auxiliary yachts of medium tonnage.  After all, it is not only the machinery of an inboard engine that

takes up space; the stowage capacity of every compartment through which exhaust or petrol pipes lead is also reduced in some measure.

Again, it is not merely in the context of space that the outboard scores.  For sailing or at moorings, the propeller is lifted clear of the water.  There can be no drag from an outboard.  Westerly has been designed to carry an outboard, and has a well into which the engine-head may be tipped when not in use. The engine can be left locked on the counter throughout the year. Another material point: the very best outboard is a great deal cheaper than the fitted cost of even the cheapest inboard engine.

Choice of Rigs

The hull will take either a Gunter or the Bermudan rig with equal facility; both give very much the same performance.  The main advantage of the Gunter rig, in “family” sailing, is the ease in which it can be reefed without leaving the cockpit.  In this rig, all the halyards lead aft to pinrails within reach of the helmsman.  This is a big point for the man who may be at sea with his wife and children for crew.                                                                

 

 

 

We feel that the masthead Bermudan rig demands a stronger crew to handle the big working jib which is so much part and parcel of this rig; while in some peoples eyes the longer mast of this rig will give the boat a better look when at anchor than the shorter Gunter mast.  So we think this choice is a matter for the individual, who will know the strength of his normal crew.

Trailing

A trailer not only enables you to visit new cruising grounds for holidays without fear that bad weather will prevent your return to base – it also allows you to take your boat home for the winter.  The small amount of servicing required by a glass fibre Westerly makes this a reasonable proposition even for a busy executive.

It is not necessary to have a special towing vehicle.  When on a trailer designed by us for your boat, a Westerly will trail easily behind an four-geared car of over 1800CC (an automatic gear change seems to make no difference).  Indeed, cars of as low a capacity as 1500cc have towed greater weights over selected routs without damage.

  Note:  For more information on Commander Dennis A. Rayner I recommend you visit: So who was Cmdr. Denys A. Rayner and why the Blog?   And: Wikipedia.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Rayner’s Boat’s For Sale…

FREE LISTINGS
I’ve created this page to help currant and future Rayner’s Boat owners connect.  Send me an email at kennethbutterly@sbcglobal.net describing the type of boat and brokerage or boat-list link to connect to.  Once the boat is sold, would appreciate some notification, so the entry can be promptly removed. Finally, the information displayed below was accurate at the time of entry - Ken. 
  • Corvette
  • Robinetta
  • Westcoaster
  • Westerly-22
  • Westerly-Nomad
  • Westerly-Windrush
  • Westerly-25
  • Westerly-30
Last updated: 03/07/2020

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Thursday, February 2, 2012

Finally, time to get back to something fun!

I can’t believe it!  155 days have elapsed since my last post.

Mea copa, I am sorry!

Now, I won’t give you a long story about my being out on a terrific sailing adventure, because no sailing adventure happened. Oh, I’d planned to take (trailer) Francesca-Rose down to Florida’s West Coast where I intended to sail the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) between Port Richey and Tampa Bay.  And if there was enough time, between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

See what I missed?

Instead, this is my current situation.

 Francesca-Rose 01-31-2011  

As you can see, the boat is still behind my house - strapped onto the new trailer.

So what did I do for 155 days? 

I spent my time – blogging!

That’s right, I’ve just spent the better part of 155 days sitting in front of my trusty Acer Netbook, blogging on: Butterly on Senior IssuesI hope it didn’t turn out to be a complete waste of time!

On to the reasons for this post.

The primary reason for this post is to let you know I’m back.  

Also, it’s January 31, 2012 and the temperature in Chicago is a solid 55ยบ F, winds gusting to Force 5.  Perfect Rayner’s Boat weather! 

Right now, I’m looking out the window at Francesca-Rose. A mere 22 feet away and ready to go!

Francesca-Rose - Out the Window 

Over the weekend I attended the annual Strictly Sail  show at Navy Pier. For many Chicago sailors, this event marks the beginning of the sailing season.

In February, many of us attend the Chicago’s Maritime Festival:

Followed by St. Patrick’s Day, where Chicago turns its river green!

Followed then by Crowley’s Yacht-a-PA-Looza!  Sorry, no video!

Finally, a Chicago sailor knows IT’S TIME when April 15th (Tax Day & Harbor Opening) rolls around.

Well, all this writing about boats and shows and sea shanties and such has gotten me into the right state of mind to write about our boats; Rayner’s Boats!  

How about you?

Sailing Rayner’s Boats is your site! 

The purpose of the site is to share your stories and this editor needs your help

Look, I can tell stories of Francesca-Rose and whatever little adventures I might have on her.  And I intend to do that!  But this blog is not just about my Westerly Nomad. 

I can’t share your stories on this blog without your help!  So, come on, send me a few paragraphs and a picture or two or more if you like.  You can even send them to my personal email address: kennethbutterly@sbcglobal.net.  Don’t worry about imperfections.  Remember, publishing your story is a team effort!  

Finally

Last weekend I learned that one of our rare W30’s, located in the Annapolis Area, is for sale.  This is a doable project boat that needs TLC and a good home.  Some of you have probably seen the notice on the WesterlyNomadand22 site.  See: 1968 Westerly W30 for sale

Michael Hunsicker, was kind enough to send me these pictures for my W30 page.  Of course, I would love more W30 pictures for the W30 page: hint, hint!  

Quite frankly guys, I believe it would be a shame for this boat not to be returned to active service.  It’s hull #43 of, if I have this right, a 46 boat production run.  W30’s are rare!   And rarer still in the US.  Again, this one needs a good home.  Michael Hunsicker, says $2,500 or less takes it!

Click on the picture for a closer view!

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Well, that’s about it for now.  

Ken.