The Westerly GK 29 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Westerly GK 29, a masthead sloop, was designed by Mike Pocock and built in the UK by Westerly Marine Ltd.

A Westerly GK 29 sailboat moored on the River Tamar in the UKThe Westerly GK29 Sailboat

Published Specification for the Westerly GK 29

Underwater Profile: Fin Keel & Transom-Hung Rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 29'0" (8.0m)

Waterline Length: 27'7" (8.4m)

Beam: 10'4" (3.2m)

Draft: 5'3" (1.6m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 6,000lb (2,722kg)

Designer: Mike Pocock

Builder: Westerly Marine Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1978

Year Last Built: 1981

Number Built: 182


Published Design Ratios for the Westerly GK 29

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: Not published

  • Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
  • 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
  • Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 50.0

  • Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
  • Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 128

  • Under 100: Ultralight
  • 100 to 200: Light
  • 200 to 275: Moderate
  • 275 to 350: Heavy
  • Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 14.8

  • Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
  • 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
  • 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
  • 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
  • Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.3

  • Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
  • Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...


Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Westerly GK 29

1. The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of the Westerly GK29 is not published but it's clear from her performance on the water is than she's no slouch.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 50.0 means that the Westerly GK29 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 128, tells us the Westerly GK29 is clearly a light displacement sailboat. If she's loaded with too much heavy cruising gear her performance will suffer to a degree.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 14.8 suggests that the Westerly GK29 will have the motion underway to that of a lightweight racing boat. Crew comfort will often be memorable for all the wrong reasons. Upwind in lively conditions the Westerly GK29 will slam enough to shake your fillings out with a motion that most cruising sailors have no desire to get used to.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula of 2.3 tells us that a Westerly GK29 would not be as good a choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making, owing to the increased risk of capsize in strong winds and heavy seas when compared to a sailboat with a CSF of less than 2.0.


Other sailboats in the Westerly range include:


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