The same centre-cockpit hull and deck later formed the basis of the Solway, which had twin bilge keels. A different deck moulding produced the aft-cockpit Medway and Galway. For a very short time, the last of those aft-cockpit derivatives were sold as Westerly 35s.
Design and Construction
The Conway measures 35' 9" overall, with a 30' 3" waterline and an 11' 3" beam. Displacement is roughly 16,100 pounds, including about 7,170 pounds of iron ballast. That gives her a ballast-to-displacement ratio near 44 percent and marks her as a stiff sailboat, able to carry plenty of sail and stand up well in strong winds.
The hull is solid GRP, with an iron fin keel and skeg-hung rudder. The clear departure from Laurent Giles’ smaller Westerly designs is the absence of the bow knuckle. This gives the 36 a cleaner entry than her smaller sisters, in the same general style as the Longbow.
Early Mk I Conways had interiors with a good deal of exposed GRP inner moulding. From 1978, the Mk II received a much more attractive all-wood interior, though GRP mouldings remain beneath the woodwork in places.
Rig and Handling
For a time, Westerly offered the Conway with a choice of masthead sloop or ketch rig. The ketch was the more popular option, and most boats were delivered with that rig.
The ketch carries 758 square feet of sail across the main, genoa, and mizzen, compared with 732 square feet for the sloop. A sail-area-to-displacement ratio of around 12.7 suggests that the Conway may feel somewhat underpowered beside modern designs. Even so, her moderate displacement and substantial ballast give her a steady offshore profile. A capsize screening figure of 1.8 indicates that the type is generally well suited to offshore passages.
In a first-person account for Little Cunning Plan, one owner described the Conway as a cinch to sail. Wide side decks make it easy to move fore and aft, while the deep cockpit, with its good-sized seats, provides secure footing at the helm.
Accommodation
Below, the Conway has two cabins plus a saloon, with eight berths in all. The saloon is bright and airy, with good walking space and comfortable settees. Each settee berth is 6' 4" long, with storage behind, beneath, and above it. Saloon headroom is 6' 3".
A walk-through beside the chart table leads to the aft cabin. Here, a good-sized double berth measures 6' 0" fore-and-aft and 7' 6" across at its forward end before tapering aft. The cabin also has an en-suite heads and storage cabinets along the sides. The passage berth aft of the chart table is more than 7' 6" long.
Forward, there’s a generous V-berth with storage beneath it, plus a good-sized hanging locker opposite the very small head. The walk aft requires some care: the passageway bulkhead is about level with an average adult’s forehead, so anyone passing through must stoop.
Machinery and Equipment
Most Conways were fitted with the 42 hp Mercedes OM636 diesel, described as smooth, generally very long-lived, and reliable. Some later boats had 36 hp Volvo engines instead. Fuel capacity is 42 gallons, and water capacity is 75 gallons.
A deep lazarette provides access to the inside of the boat and houses sturdy latches on its lockers. The propane locker is in the cockpit, in its own protected area. The hull liner has a short pile that is soft, easy to clean, and absorbs sound, helping to keep the boat quieter.
Refits and Ownership
The main production-era refinement was the Mk II interior introduced in 1978, which replaced much of the exposed moulding with an all-wood finish.
Individual owners have taken the type further. On one 1977 example, the owner replaced systems and seacocks and added several items of equipment. These included a professionally installed refrigerator, a new diesel heating unit on the saloon bulkhead, and a water heater that appeared new. Good engine access through the lazarette makes this sort of work straightforward.
The Verdict
The Conway 36 is a purposeful centre-cockpit cruiser with genuine offshore credentials, a stiff, settled hull, and a berth plan suited to long stays aboard. The popularity of the ketch rig and the walk-through aft cabin with en-suite heads show the practical thinking behind her liveaboard layout.
There are compromises. The low passageway bulkhead requires stooping, the forward head is very small, and the modest sail-area-to-displacement ratio may leave her feeling lightly powered to sailors accustomed to modern rigs.
Pros
- Stiff, moderate-displacement hull with an iron fin keel and skeg-hung rudder, well suited to offshore work
- Walk-through aft cabin with a double berth and en-suite heads
- Eight berths across two cabins and the saloon
- Long-lived Mercedes OM636 engine
- Deep lazarette with good engine access
Cons
- Low passageway bulkhead to the aft cabin requires stooping
- Very small forward head compartment
- Sail-area-to-displacement ratio suggests an underpowered feel compared with modern cruisers
