Westerly
Westerly Fulmar 32
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We are confirming an exact hull photo for this model. Specifications and survey notes are complete.
The Westerly Fulmar 32 is one of Northern Europe's most recognisable British offshore cruisers. Designed by Ed Dubois and built from 1979 to 1992, roughly 435–437 hulls left the yard — a stiff cruiser-racer active on UK and Scandinavian brokerage sites. With 9.7 m LOA, 3.05 m beam, and about 3,800 kg displacement, the model suits couples and small families cruising the Baltic, Skagerrak, and North Sea. Ed Dubois extended Westerly's offshore line toward club-racing manners with fin-keel and twin-keel options, interior layouts that work for North Sea passages, and production depth above 430 hulls that keeps survey knowledge accessible. Fin-keel versions are more common in Nordic listings than bilge-keel UK patterns; Scandinavian buyers often import from UK sellers or buy ex-pat maintained boats already in Baltic marinas. Nordic buyers should compare asking price against documented rigging, sandwich-deck moisture history, and Volvo MD-series service — passage equipment matters more than cosmetic teak refresh alone. Expect 65,000–170,000 kr annual baseline in Swedish marinas with realistic technical reserves. FairHelm tracks Westerly Fulmar 32 listings because these hulls trade constantly on Blocket, Scanboat, and German brokerage sites. Buyers are rarely choosing between "good" and "bad" boats — they are choosing between documented maintenance and deferred work. A polished cockpit or new plotter does not cancel unknown rigging age, twin-keel stub wear, or moisture at chainplates. That is why survey discipline matters more here than brand romance. For Nordic ownership, Westerly Fulmar 32 works as a coastal weekender with occasional longer passages when equipped for cold-water sailing: reliable heating, solid ground tackle, and a realistic technical reserve beyond berth and insurance. Compare adjacent models in FairHelm's [model guides](/en/yachts/models/) and read survey notes before committing a deposit. The cheapest asking price on Blocket is rarely the cheapest boat to own over three seasons. When you shortlist a Westerly Fulmar 32, build a simple survey scorecard: osmosis mapping on 1980s layup, sandwich-deck moisture at stanchion bases, twin-keel stub fairing, rigging age, and Volvo MD service history. Owner forums and yard quotes from Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Helsingør help you separate cosmetic refresh from structural deferral — especially on boats marketed as "ready to sail" without invoices.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Production
- 1979–1992
- LOA
- 9.7 m
- Beam
- 3.05 m
- Model
- Westerly Fulmar 32
Technical data
- Length overall (LOA)
- 9.7 m
- Beam
- 3.05 m
- Production years
- 1979–1992
Typical problems
- What osmotic blistering issues appear on Westerly Fulmar 32?
- Sandwich deck sections from the 1980s can show osmosis; treat early blisters before sale deferral — localized treatment often runs 3,000–8,000 kr.
- What stanchion base leak issues appear on Westerly Fulmar 32?
- Pulpit and pushpit bedding fails on long-season boats; damp headliners are common red flags.
- What Volvo MD series engine issues appear on Westerly Fulmar 32?
- MD22-era installs need impeller and exhaust elbow documentation; cooling neglect is expensive.
- What twin-keel fairing wear issues appear on Westerly Fulmar 32?
- Bilge-keel versions show stub wear after drying moorings; essential inspection at haul-out.
- What electrical refit documentation issues appear on Westerly Fulmar 32?
- Owner-added AC or heating systems need safe fusing records for insurers on offshore-equipped boats.
Design History
The Westerly Fulmar 32 arrived in the late 1970s as Ed Dubois shaped a new generation of UK offshore-capable cruisers for Westerly Marine. At 9.7 m LOA the model combined stiff hull form, manageable sail handling, and interior volume suited to Channel and North Sea passages — a formula that kept production running through 1992 with registry sources citing approximately 435–437 completed hulls.
Westerly built the Fulmar 32 through the 1980s and early 1990s as UK crews sought manageable offshore platforms without stepping up to centre-cockpit layouts. Twin-keel variants dominated domestic UK listings while fin-keel boats simplified grounding for Scandinavian buyers — a split that still shapes import survey checklists today.
Mid-production changes were mostly interior trim, engine options, and deck hardware rather than fundamental hull revisions. That means survey condition, winter storage history, and rigging invoices usually matter more than the model year printed on the brochure. When you evaluate a Westerly Fulmar 32 on Blocket, treat the maintenance story as part of the specification — not a footnote after the asking price.
Annual Ownership Costs
| Cost item | Low (SEK) | High (SEK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina berth (9.7 m class) | 20,000 | 44,000 | Sub-10 m fees on some marinas |
| Insurance | 8,000 | 20,000 | Agreed value and cruising area |
| Haul-out + winter storage | 11,000 | 26,000 | Yard package varies by region |
| Antifouling + hull care | 6,000 | 15,000 | Materials and labour |
| Engine / drivetrain | 5,000 | 16,000 | Volvo MD service intervals |
| Rigging reserve | 7,000 | 20,000 | Standing rigging age |
| Deck / structural reserve | 6,000 | 22,000 | Sandwich deck, twin-keel fairing |
| Total annual | 65,000 | 170,000 | Excludes major refit years |
Annual ownership for Westerly Fulmar 32 is predictable when service records are complete. Berth, storage, and insurance dominate fixed costs in Sweden. Twin-keel variants need specific haul-out inspection for stub fairing; fin-keel boats simplify grounding but still require osmosis mapping on 1980s layup. Keep a separate technical reserve so routine season costs stay stable — especially on Blocket boats marketed as "ready to sail" without invoices.
Pre-Purchase Survey Checklist
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist: Westerly Fulmar 32
Hull, Keel and Underwater Body
- Moisture-map the underwater hull; document osmosis or barrier-coat history on 1980s Westerly GRP layup.
- On twin-keel variants, inspect stub fairing, grounding history, and backing structure for movement or recurring cracks.
- Check rudder bearings and steering linkage under load during sea trial.
Deck and Sandwich Construction
- Test bedding at pulpit, pushpit, stanchions, and winches; damp headliners are common red flags.
- Inspect hatches and portlights for seal compression and core moisture at corners.
- Verify chainplate areas internally for rust staining or soft laminate.
Rig and Sail Systems
- Confirm standing rigging age with invoices; treat unknown age as near-term replacement on club-raced hulls.
- Inspect mast step, spreaders, and terminals for corrosion or fatigue marks.
- Operate furling and reefing systems under realistic load.
Machinery and Systems
- Review Volvo MD-series engine service including impeller, cooling circuit, exhaust elbow, and mounts.
- Audit batteries, charging, and owner-added AC or heating work for safe fusing and insurance documentation.
- Check tanks, bilges, and hoses for age-related seepage.