Design and Construction
The Berwick is the twin-keel development of the fin-keel Longbow. It is one of four Westerly models—the others are the Pentland, Renown, and Konsort—that share the same basic hull.
Below the waterline, the hull is solid fiberglass with no core. The fiberglass deck has balsa core in places to stiffen the panels, along with molded nonskid for safer movement on deck. The twin keels are cast iron with lead ballast inside and are fastened to the hull with stainless steel bolts.
The skeg-hung rudder is foam-cored fiberglass on a stainless steel stock. Its protected position helps guard the steering against grounding or fouling when the boat dries out.
With 4,436 lb of ballast and a ballast ratio of 45.3%, the Berwick is notably stiff. Its displacement puts it among heavy cruisers by length-to-beam and displacement-length measures. It is slimmer than 62% of comparable designs and rates as more comfortable than 79% of them by motion-comfort measures.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Berwick has a deck-stepped masthead sloop rig and tiller steering. The tiller can be adapted for an extension or autopilot.
Reported sail area is 39.4 square meters. Against a displacement of 4,441 kg, that is modest, leaving the boat slightly underpowered for its displacement, though easy to manage. Period data lists 12 mm sheet diameters throughout, with genoa and jib sheets around 9.5 m long and a mainsheet near 23.8 m.
The twin keels provide good stability and allow the boat to dry out on shallow or tidal patches. The theoretical hull speed is 7.5 knots under sail; speed under engine is about 6.5 knots.
A capsize screening value of 1.75 means the formula alone would admit the Berwick to ocean racing. Even so, it is described primarily as a coastal cruiser, although some owners have taken their boats offshore.
Accommodation
High freeboard and a wide 2.9 m beam give the Berwick a distinctive appearance and a roomy interior. A raised coachroof with large windows brings in plenty of light and ventilation.
The boat sleeps six across three cabins. Forward is a V-berth with an infill and lockers. In the saloon, two settees convert into a double berth using an infill, while a quarter berth lies behind the chart table. The folding saloon table seats six.
At the foot of the companionway, the galley is to port and includes a two-burner gas stove, oven, grill, manual sink, and large icebox. Opposite, the navigation station has a large chart table and instrument panel, with the quarter berth behind it. The head is forward of the saloon to port, alongside a manual washbasin and hanging locker.
Outside, the Berwick has a large aft cockpit with tiller steering and ample lockers, as well as wide side decks. The engine compartment is spacious and accessible from both the cockpit hatch and the saloon.
Engine, Tankage, and Deck Gear
The original engine is a 23-horsepower Volvo MD2B, although some owners have installed newer units. Fuel capacity is 76 liters, and water capacity is 114 liters—limited for long passages.
Standard deck gear includes a sturdy bow pulpit, stern rail, stanchions, and lifelines. Forward, there is a bow roller, anchor locker, and manual windlass.
The Verdict
The Berwick 31 is a purposeful coastal cruiser. Its twin-keel layout and shallow draft open up tidal and drying harbors that its fin-keel cousins cannot use, without giving up the stiffness and comfort of a heavily ballasted hull.
Accommodation is generous for a 31-footer, and access to the engine is genuinely practical. Modest tankage and sail area, however, make the Berwick better suited to sheltered-water cruising than to carrying bluewater loads.
Pros
- Twin bilge keels allow the boat to dry out upright in tidal shallows
- High 45.3% ballast ratio makes it very stable and stiff
- Spacious engine compartment, accessible from both the cockpit and saloon
- Sleeps six in three cabins, with standing headroom and good natural light
- Skeg-protected rudder helps protect the steering from grounding or fouling when the boat dries out
Cons
- Sail area is slightly underpowered for the displacement
- Fuel capacity of 76 L and water capacity of 114 L are limited for extended cruising
- Primarily a coastal cruiser rather than an offshore design
