MacWester Wight () Mk I 31 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Wight Mk I 31 is a quintessential "steady" cruiser. With a displacement of approximately 11,000 lbs, it carries considerable momentum once under way, making it remarkably sea-kindly in a chop. The boat was primarily produced with bilge keels, which, while limiting its ability to point high into the wind, allow it to remain upright on drying moorings. Under sail, the Wight is best described as deliberate. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is conservative, reflecting its design as a motor-sailer intended to utilize its auxiliary engine when the wind drops or turns unfavorable.

The ketch rig provides the skipper with numerous "gears" for varying weather conditions. In heavy air, the "jib and jigger" (headsail and mizzen) configuration keeps the boat balanced and manageable without the excessive heel that might distress a family crew. Anecdotal evidence from the Macwester Owners Association suggests that while the boat can be sluggish in light airs (under 10 knots), it comes into its own in a Force 4 or 5, where its weight provides a predictable and comfortable motion that lighter, modern cruisers cannot match. The helm is typically heavy but provides significant feedback, and the large rudder ensures that the boat tracks well even in a following sea.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The Wight Mk I’s primary selling point was its "tardis-like" interior. By utilizing a center-cockpit layout, C.S.J. Roy was able to create two distinct living areas. The main saloon features a traditional galley and dinette with surprisingly generous headroom—often exceeding six feet—which was a revolutionary feature for a 31-foot boat in the 1960s. The aft cabin, accessed via the cockpit, provides two separate berths, making it an ideal arrangement for parents seeking privacy from children or for use as a dedicated storage and navigation space.

Sibling models built on this same 31-foot hull include the Macwester Pelagian. While the Wight is a center-cockpit ketch, the Pelagian is the aft-cockpit version, usually rigged as a sloop or ketch. The Pelagian offers a much larger, singular cabin area and a deeper cockpit but loses the private aft stateroom found in the Wight. Later, the Wight Mk II was introduced, which featured a revised deckhouse and updated interior moldings to modernize the aesthetic, though the fundamental hull and "heavy cruiser" DNA remained unchanged.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Macwester Wight Mk I should focus their inspections on the specific structural traits of 1970s GRP construction and the complexities of the ketch rig.

• Keel Joint Stress: Because many Wights were kept on drying moorings, the joint where the bilge keels meet the hull can experience significant stress. Inspect the internal "floors" (the structural ribs) for any signs of cracking or crazing that might indicate the keels have been worked over time.
• Window Leaks: The large, aluminum-framed windows of the Mk I are notorious for developing leaks as the original bedding compounds dry out. Water ingress here often leads to delamination of the interior wood bulkheads.
• Engine Serviceability: Many original units were fitted with Volvo MD2B or Perkins 4.108 engines. While robust, these engines are reaching the end of their service lives. Prospective buyers should check for "smoking" on cold starts and ensure that parts are still obtainable, or budget for a modern repower.
• Deck Core Integrity: While Macwesters are heavily built, some models used balsa or foam coring in the deck for stiffness. Use a plastic hammer to "tap-test" the side decks for the dull thud associated with core rot, particularly around stanchion bases and the mizzen mast step.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical data and social connection for this model is the Macwester Owners Association. This group maintains an extensive archive of original brochures, technical drawings, and a registry of surviving hulls. Because C.S.J. Roy designed the entire range himself, the association provides a unique level of continuity and historical knowledge that is rare for defunct builders.

The Verdict

The Macwester Wight Mk I 31 is an uncompromising coastal trekker that favors comfort and safety over the excitement of performance. It is a "ship-shape" vessel for the sailor who values the ability to explore tidal estuaries and wants a boat that feels significantly larger than its 31-foot length suggests.

Pros:

• Exceptional interior volume with a rare private aft cabin.
• Bilge keels allow for low-cost tidal moorings and easy beaching for maintenance.
• Heavy-displacement hull provides a stable, reassuring motion in heavy weather.

Cons:

• Underwhelming performance in light winds and poor tacking angles.
• The center-cockpit design results in a relatively small, exposed steering position.
• Maintenance requirements are doubled for the ketch rig’s standing and running rigging.