Westerly Storm 33 vs HR 36
Last reviewed: - Vadim Nareyko
British aft-cockpit classic versus Swedish centre-cockpit benchmark: Ed Dubois Westerly Storm 33 (1986–1993, ~141, 10.11×3.51) against Germán Frers Hallberg-Rassy HR 36 (1989–2003, 602 Mk I/II). Fork: thinner Nordic comparison pool versus denser Baltic resale. Reject Storm as centre-cockpit (that is older Westerly 33) and years from 1980. Specs from published model data.
Ownership study
The listing says Storm 33, yet the copy already claims a centre cockpit or years from 1980. Beside it the broker holds a Hallberg-Rassy 36 as the "normal Baltic" alternative in the same metre class. These two boats were never cockpit neighbours. One side is a British aft cockpit by Ed Dubois; the other is a Swedish centre cockpit by Germán Frers in Ellös. Until the plate closes years and form, the argument is about a foreign Westerly sister, not about this pair.
Storm 33 here is only the Dubois aft cockpit, window 1986-1993, a series of about 141 hulls, overall length 10.11 m, beam 3.51 m, displacement about 5.13 t. Reading her as a centre cockpit means confusing her with the older Westerly 33 of the Laurent Giles line. Years from 1980 in the title without a plate do not belong to this form. Before a deposit, match 1986-1993 and about 141 on the plate or yard papers, not in a foreign description with a foreign cockpit. Reject centre-cockpit Storm and years from 1980.
HR 36 here is only the Frers centre cockpit, window 1989-2003, about 602 hulls, beam 3.55 m, displacement about 7.5 t. Under one name live Mk I (hulls 1-256, 1989-1994, hull length about 10.87 m) and Mk II (257-602, 1994-2003, about 11.31 m, different transom and aft platform). The name Enderlein next to this 36 appears in foreign copy, but it does not belong to the Frers form. Until hull number, year, and a transom photo are lined up, two "HR 36" cards cannot be treated as one boat.
The fork is a British aft with a thinner northern comparison pool of about 141 hulls against a Swedish centre cockpit with a denser, more recognisable Baltic secondary market of about 602 hulls. This is not a nostalgia quarrel and not a quarrel over who is shorter on the plate. Berth, insurance, and time to exit the deal diverge with cockpit and pool depth, not with whose badge sounds louder on the board.
Hauling both on one day covers a shared 1980s-1990s map with different accents. Shared list: calendar age of the standing rigging, soft deck zones after frost, winter history. On the Storm, stress gelcoat osmosis and bulkhead tabbing (how bulkheads are bonded to the skin) plus rejecting centre cockpit and years from 1980. On the HR, stress teak fastenings, chainplates (metal fittings that join standing rigging to the hull), and Mk checks from the stern.
A season afloat on the 10.11 m aft boat and on the centre-cockpit class around 10.9-11.3 m is counted from berth and policy, crane with winter storage, and money set aside for osmosis or teak, sails, and wire. The SEK bands below are gathered for this pair and show only the order of seasonal spend.
This page does not discuss the listing price or the surveyor's conclusion. How much remains in the Westerly laminate, what HR teak fastenings will show, and how many seasons the wire has left become visible on hard standing, not from the advert.
When to pick which
Westerly Storm 33
The Storm 33 (Dubois, Westerly) fits buyers who need a British aft cockpit on 10.11×3.51 m with the 1986-1993 window and a series of about 141. Identity closes on the 1986-1993 plate and on rejecting centre cockpit and years from 1980. Before a deposit, haul for osmosis and bulkhead tabbing and take standing-rigging invoices.
HR 36
Centre-cockpit living by Frers in Ellös leads to the HR 36. The plate must show 1989-2003 and a series of about 602; Mk I and Mk II are checked by hull number and a stern photo. Before a deposit, teak and chainplates are checked by hand, and wire years are confirmed only by a service invoice.
Baltic ownership cost bands
| Cost theme | Storm 33 band (SEK) | HR 36 band (SEK) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berth + insurance | 20 000–52 000 | 28 000–70 000 | class ~10.1–11.3 m |
| Haul-out + winter | 8 000–22 000 | 12 000–30 000 | crane and keel supports |
| Teak / osmosis / deck reserve | 10 000–35 000 | 14 000–45 000 | Westerly osmosis vs HR teak |
| Rigging reserve | 7 000–22 000 | 9 000–26 000 | wire age |
| Systems / engine | 8 000–28 000 | 10 000–32 000 | 1980s–1990s |
| Planning total | 55 000–155 000 | 80 000–200 000 | excluding major teak or osmosis campaigns |
The SEK bands in the table repeat the previously published figures for this pair without change and hold the class around 10.1-11.3 m. The last word still belongs to your yard invoice and your policy text.
Comparison table
| Category | Westerly Storm 33 | HR 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 10.11 m | 10.87 m |
| Beam | 3.51 m | 3.55 m |
| L/B | 2.88 | 3.06 |
| LWL | unknown | 9.35 m |
| Draft | unknown | 1.7 m |
| Displacement | unknown | 7,500 kg (light) |
| Ballast | unknown | 3,400 kg |
| Wetted surface | unknown | 31.3 m², calculated |
| Hulls built | unknown | 602 |
| Designer | unknown | Germán Frers |
| Production years | 1986-1993 | 1989-2003 |
| Overview | The Westerly Storm 33 is one of Northern Europe's most recognisable late-1986s British performance cruisers. | Oiled teak, the familiar Hallberg-Rassy HR 36 name, a newer plotter - and you already want to believe the boat is ready for July. |
| Typical issues | Q: What bilge-keel fairing issues appear on Westerly Storm 33? A: Twin-keel grounding wear and fairing cracks are common on UK imports — professional survey before pricing against fin-keel alternatives. Q: What rudder bearing play issues appear on Westerly Storm 33? A: Aft-cockpit layouts concentrate rudder loads; play warrants survey and possible rebuild before offshore seasons. | Q: Is the HR 36 name in the ad headline enough? A: No. Look at how the stern is built in the photos and whether a hull number is listed; do not trust a length figure alone. Length in the headline is marketing shorthand, not a series proof. Q: Does osmosis risk remain? A: Osmosis is moisture that lifts blisters under the outer plastic skin. |
Explore each boat
Common questions
- Storm 33 or HR 36 for Baltic ownership?
- Pick the Storm 33 (Ed Dubois, 1986–1993, ~141, aft cockpit, 10.11×3.51) when a British classic and lower typical entry price fit. Pick the HR 36 (Germán Frers, 1989–2003, 602 Mk I/II, centre cockpit) when Nordic resale depth and protected living win. Reject Storm as centre-cockpit. The fork is cockpit living and market depth, not badge romance alone.
- What years and designers should I verify on the plate?
- Storm 33: Ed Dubois, 1986–1993, about 141 hulls at 10.11×3.51 m. Reject centre-cockpit attribution and years starting in 1980. HR 36: Germán Frers, 1989–2003, 602 hulls (Mk I 1–256; Mk II 257–602) at hull about 10.87 / 11.31 m, beam 3.55 m.
- Is the Storm 33 a centre-cockpit twin of the HR 36?
- No. The Storm 33 is aft cockpit. Centre-cockpit Westerlys of that era include the older Westerly 33 (Laurent Giles). Do not mix Storm 33 plates with Westerly 33 centre-cockpit sisters.
- What should a survey prioritise on these two?
- On the Storm 33 prioritise gelcoat osmosis and bulkhead tabbing on 1980s GRP, plus standing-rigging age. On the HR 36 prioritise teak fasteners, chainplates, and standing-rigging age. Winter-storage history moves price on both.
- How do annual Baltic ownership costs compare?
- Plan berth, insurance, haul-out, teak or osmosis reserves, and rigging reserves in the bands on this page (about 55,000–155,000 SEK for the Storm 33 and 80,000–200,000 SEK for the HR 36). Major teak or osmosis campaigns sit outside the annual band for both.