Westerly
Pentland 32
The Westerly Pentland 32 is the twin-keel, centre-cockpit member of Laurent Giles’s Westerly 31 family — usually ketch-rigged, sometimes sloop — built in Hampshire, UK, from 1973 to 1980 (~241 hulls). LOA about 9.45 m, beam 2.90 m, displacement around 4,960 kg. Bilge keels let her dry out upright; the deep centre cockpit suits coastal and short offshore cruising for couples and small families.
FairHelm tracks Pentland listings on Blocket, Scanboat and northern European brokers because UK exports and Baltic imports still turn over. Cross-shop sister W31 hulls (Berwick, Longbow, Renown) before you lock survey budget — same length class, different cockpit and keel choices.
Nordic buyers should weigh asking price against documented standing rigging, shaft-drive engine service, and electronics age. Teak polish or a new plotter rarely cancels deferred structural work.
Annual ownership in Swedish marinas typically runs 62 000–172 000 kr for a cruiser of this size with a realistic technical reserve (see cost table). The cheapest Blocket ask is rarely the cheapest boat over three seasons.
When you shortlist a Pentland 32, build a simple survey scorecard: hull moisture, rigging age, drivetrain service, and chainplate integrity. Owner forums and yard quotes from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Helsingør help separate cosmetic refresh from structural deferral. Compare neighbours in FairHelm’s model guides before a deposit.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Production
- 1973–1980
- LOA
- 9.45 m
- Beam
- 2.9 m
- Model
- Pentland 32
Key takeaways
- Best for: couples wanting a twin-keel centre-cockpit UK classic
- Common issue: standing-rigging age and chainplate/deck moisture on 1970s GRP
- Typical price: see FairHelm Market Index — W31-family Baltic/UK turnover
Technical data
- Length overall (LOA)
- 9.45 m
- Beam
- 2.9 m
- Production years
- 1973–1980
Typical problems
Buyer FAQ
- What standing rigging fatigue issues appear on Pentland 32?
Unknown rigging age is common; budget replacement if invoices are missing.
- What chainplate leak issues appear on Pentland 32?
Chainplate bedding failures often show as ceiling stains — moisture-map before purchase.
- What deck core moisture issues appear on Pentland 32?
Stanchion bases and tracks concentrate water ingress without periodic rebedding.
- What engine / shaft-drive service issues appear on Pentland 32?
Engine and shaft-drive (stern gland, mounts, cooling) history should be complete before Baltic purchase — do not assume a saildrive layout.
- What portlight seal age issues appear on Pentland 32?
Older portlights and deck hatches need compression testing — cosmetic seals can hide core moisture.
Design History
Westerly introduced the Pentland in 1973 as the bilge-keel centre-cockpit twin to the Renown, on the same Laurent Giles 31 ft platform as the Longbow and Berwick. Production ran through 1980 in the UK; registers cite about 241 completed boats.
The family was aimed at owner crews who wanted a safe centre cockpit, shallow-water twin keels and optional ketch sailplan — not at Mediterranean charter fleets. Mid-run changes were mostly engines, deck hardware and interior trim rather than a new hull.
On the secondary market, survey condition, winter storage history and rigging invoices usually matter more than the brochure year. Treat service papers as part of the specification, not a footnote after the price.
Annual Ownership Costs
| Cost item | Low (SEK) | High (SEK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina berth | 22 000 | 48 000 | ~9.45 m class, Stockholm/Gothenburg |
| Insurance | 8 000 | 22 000 | Agreed value and cruising area |
| Haul-out + winter | 12 000 | 28 000 | Yard package varies by region |
| Antifouling + hull care | 6 000 | 16 000 | Materials and labour |
| Engine / drivetrain | 5 000 | 16 000 | Shaft-drive service intervals |
| Rigging reserve | 7 000 | 20 000 | Standing rigging age |
| Deck / structural reserve | 6 000 | 22 000 | Bedding, moisture follow-up |
| Total annual | 62 000 | 172 000 | Excludes major refit years |
Annual ownership is predictable when service records are complete. Berth, storage and insurance dominate fixed costs in Sweden. The largest variables are rigging replacement timing and survey-led deck or drivetrain work. Keep a separate technical reserve — especially on boats sold as “ready to sail” without invoices.
Pre-Purchase Survey Checklist
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist: Pentland 32
Hull, Keel and Underwater Body
- Moisture-map the underwater hull; document osmosis or barrier-coat history on 1970s GRP.
- Inspect twin bilge keels, keel bolts and backing structure for movement or recurring fairing cracks.
- Check rudder bearings and steering linkage under load during sea trial.
Deck and Hardware
- Test bedding at stanchions, tracks and winches; open nearby interior access if damp stains appear.
- 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-used hulls.
- Inspect mast step, spreaders and terminals for corrosion or fatigue marks (ketch: check mizzen too).
- Operate furling and reefing systems under realistic load.
Machinery and Systems
- Review engine and shaft-drive service including cooling, exhaust elbow, stern gland and mounts.
- Audit batteries, charging and owner-added electrical work for safe fusing.
- Check tanks, bilges and hoses for age-related seepage.