The Westerly GK 29 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

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

Download this eBook to make sure you buy wisely!

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.