Westerly
Westerly Konsort 29
The Westerly Konsort 29 is Westerly Marine's most-built model and one of Northern Europe's most recognisable British cruisers. Designed by Laurent Giles and built from 1979 to 1992, roughly 812 hulls left the yard — a stiff 8.7 m cruiser-racer with twin-keel and fin-keel options that trades actively on UK and Scandinavian brokerage sites. With 2.95 m beam and about 3,500 kg displacement, the model suits couples and small families cruising the Baltic, Skagerrak, and North Sea. Laurent Giles penned a manageable hull for Westerly's domestic market; the twin-keel option dominates UK listings while fin-keel versions trade actively in Scandinavia. Sandwich deck construction and Volvo MD-series diesels define the typical survey checklist on pre-1990 hulls — production depth above 800 hulls keeps parts and survey knowledge accessible. Nordic buyers should compare asking price against documented rigging, bilge-keel fairing, and MD-series service — cosmetic refreshes rarely replace deferred structural maintenance. Expect 58,000–155,000 kr annual baseline in Swedish marinas with realistic technical reserves. FairHelm tracks Westerly Konsort 29 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 Konsort 29 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 Konsort 29, build a simple survey scorecard: osmosis on sandwich deck sections, stanchion bedding at pulpit and pushpit, twin-keel stub fairing, Volvo MD impeller and exhaust elbow service, and owner-added electrical documentation. 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
- 8.7 m
- Beam
- 2.78 m
- Model
- Westerly Konsort 29
Technical data
- Length overall (LOA)
- 8.7 m
- Beam
- 2.78 m
- Production years
- 1979–1992
Typical problems
- What osmotic blistering issues appear on Westerly Konsort 29?
- Sandwich deck and hull sections from the 1980s can show osmosis; early treatment beats deferring blisters through a sale.
- What stanchion base leak issues appear on Westerly Konsort 29?
- Deck-stanchion bedding fails on long-season boats; damp headliners near pulpit and pushpit bases are common red flags.
- What Volvo MD series engine issues appear on Westerly Konsort 29?
- Original MD5/MD7/MD11 installs need documented impeller, exhaust elbow, and raw-water circuit service; neglected cooling paths cause costly overheating repairs.
- What twin-keel grounding wear issues appear on Westerly Konsort 29?
- Bilge-keel versions show fairing wear and weeping at keel stubs after repeated drying moorings; haul-out inspection is essential.
- What electrical upgrade issues appear on Westerly Konsort 29?
- Minimal original electrical fit-out pushes owners toward refits; document any owner-added AC, heating, or inverter work for insurance.
Design History
The Westerly Konsort 29 emerged in the late 1970s as Laurent Giles scaled compact British cruising yachts for Westerly's volume production line. At 8.7 m LOA the model delivered stiff, predictable manners for UK coastal and short offshore use — a profile that still attracts Nordic buyers cross-shopping other 8–9 m British cruisers. Production ran from 1979 to 1992; registry and owner-club sources cite approximately 812 completed hulls, making it Westerly Marine's highest-volume design.
Westerly built more Konsort 29 hulls than any other model in the yard's history — a production depth that keeps parts and survey knowledge accessible on UK and Scandinavian brokerage sites. Twin-keel variants targeted tidal harbour access while fin-keel versions simplified grounding for passage-oriented owners.
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 Konsort 29 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 (8.7 m class) | 18,000 | 38,000 | Sub-9 m fees on some marinas |
| Insurance | 8,000 | 18,000 | Agreed value and cruising area |
| Haul-out + winter storage | 11,000 | 26,000 | Yard package varies by region |
| Antifouling + hull care | 5,000 | 14,000 | Materials and labour |
| Engine / drivetrain | 5,000 | 15,000 | Volvo MD service intervals |
| Rigging reserve | 6,000 | 18,000 | Standing rigging age |
| Deck / structural reserve | 5,000 | 20,000 | Sandwich deck, twin-keel fairing |
| Total annual | 58,000 | 155,000 | Excludes major refit years |
Annual ownership for Westerly Konsort 29 is predictable when service records are complete. Berth, storage, and insurance dominate fixed costs in Sweden. Twin-keel layouts add survey focus on grounding wear and fairing cracks at the keel stubs. 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 Konsort 29
Hull, Keel and Underwater Body
- Moisture-map the underwater hull; document osmosis or barrier-coat history on sandwich-deck Konsort 29 GRP of this era.
- 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, and stanchion bases; damp headliners near deck hardware 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.
- Inspect mast step, spreaders, and terminals for corrosion or fatigue marks.
- Operate furling and reefing systems under realistic load.
Machinery and Systems
- Review Volvo MD5/MD7/MD11 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.