I hear what you're saying!

But the money is not the key point Mark.

It's all the work for nothing - if it sails like a dog afterward ! 

Cheers...

Hi David

Thanks v much for your thoughts on this.

I realise the boat is far from the ideal candidate, but I'm hoping to gain enough feedback here to help me decide if I push ahead with the boat I have or change for a more appropriate boat.

You touched on some points that I'd considered; but as yet not resolved.

I had thought to change the rudder to outboard; to get the rudder post further back and allow me cockpit space to install a backup outboard well (with a faired blanking plug normally installed)

The engine is an 11hp Vetus of unknown age, but only 200+ hours on the rpm/odometer.

The odometer is a very professional looking original installation and I've no reason to doubt the running hours. (probably tempting fate with this comment ;-)

But If it gives any serious trouble, I'd immediately throw an OB in the well and keep on trucking. Fix the main engine at a later date. Vacations are to enjoy, not work more on the boat. This is hope over experience, but I'm an optimist ;-)

In time, I'd like to change the interior into a singlehander +1 crew maximum.

Moving the mast back would seriously affect the lay-out I have planned.

But the weight up front still worries me. I've planned to foam fill the area in front of the forward mast position (with a partial collision bulkhead) and foam fill the rear part of the quarter berths - there are no cockpit seat lockers, just a rear locker behind the rudder post. I plan to use foam for positive buoyancy, but until I get an all-up weight, the jury is still out on if it's even possible.

I know a lot of the mods I plan will diminish resale value - filling in the rear of the quarter berths and making them unusable as such will no doubt be considered foolish; as I can no longer list it as a 23' boat with 6 berths ;-)

Cheers...

JP

Hello JRA

This my first post; after a year or so of reading and re-reading everything on the site.

My plan:

A junk rigged retirement boat - I'm a recent retiree,in good shape for a 65yo.

But I can't expect this good luck/health to continue forever.

So thinking of the future: a rig that requires less physical effort is the prime motivator.

I have a (new to me) Westerly Pageant that's in better than average condition.

It's probably not the first boat most would consider for a conversion. However,the headroom and ability to take the ground is something I'd like to keep, without the hassle of using legs.

Yes, she's a little tubby and reputed to not like going to windward, but I'm a little tubby and don't like going to windward - so I can't fault her on that ;-)

Cruising plans:

Summertime cruising of the UK, France and Spain.

I'll leave her somewhere in the winters; and come back to work for a few months in the UK or France.

---

This is a good place to stop a first post, and see if anyone is highly pro/con a small Westerly as a conversion project. I got the Pageant under very reasonable terms and can get out again with no losses. But she's kind of growing on me ;-)

My biggest concern is that I'd need a forward set mast directly in front of the step down from the coachroof or embedded in the leading face of the coachroof (prefer going thru the deck)

Any thoughts or guidance appreciated...

Thanks...JP