Westerly Medway 36 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

Under sail, the Medway 36 is characterized by its remarkable stiffness and predictable sea-kindliness. This is a direct result of a conservative Sail Area to Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of approximately 12.6, indicating a vessel that is significantly more comfortable than it is quick in light air. However, with a ballast-to-displacement ratio of over 44%, the boat excels when the wind freshens; it can stand up to its canvas long after lighter modern designs have been forced to reef.

The hull was tank-tested at the University of Southampton, and according to the Laurent Giles Archive, the designers deliberately removed the signature "Giles knuckle" in the forward hull to improve entry and tracking. The Medway features a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, providing a balanced helm that owners report as significantly more responsive than the twin-keel Solway variant. While most Medways were rigged as masthead ketches to keep sail handling manageable in the era before widespread roller reefing, a few sloop-rigged versions offer slightly better pointing ability. Its Displacement/Length (D/L) ratio of 255 places it firmly in the "moderate cruiser" category, ensuring it carries enough momentum to punch through a choppy sea-state without the jerky motion typical of lighter hulls.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The Medway 36 utilizes the generous 11-foot, 2-inch beam to provide an interior that felt palatial by 1970s standards. Unlike the center-cockpit Conway, which split the living space with a passageway to an aft cabin, the Medway’s aft-cockpit layout concentrates the social areas in the main saloon. The standard configuration offers seven berths and two heads, a layout detail confirmed by the Westerly Owners Association technical wiki.

The Medway is one of five primary siblings built on the same 36-foot Laurent Giles hull. The Conway (fin keel, center cockpit) was the flagship production model, while the Solway provided a twin-keel alternative for tidal drying. The Galway mirrored the Medway’s aft-cockpit layout but utilized twin keels for shallow-draft versatility. Later versions, including the Westerly 35, updated the interior finishes and teak trim. In a Medway, the use of sapele-faced marine plywood and moulded GRP bunks provides a durable, albeit utilitarian, aesthetic that has aged well provided the boat's window seals have remained intact.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should approach a Medway 36 with a specific technical checklist derived from long-term owner experiences documented by the Westerly Owners Association.

• Hull Osmosis: Like many British hulls from the late 70s, the Medway is susceptible to gelcoat blistering. High-moisture readings in the laminate are common and often require a professional peel-and-dry treatment if not already addressed.
• Engine Obsolescence: Many units originally featured the Volvo MD11C or the Mercedes OM636. While the Mercedes is famously "bulletproof," parts for the Volvo units are increasingly difficult to source, and many Medways on the market have been successfully repowered with modern Beta or Yanmar diesels.
• Sagging Headlining: A notorious "Westerly trait," the foam backing on the interior vinyl headlining eventually disintegrates, causing the material to sag and drop orange dust. Replacing this is a labor-intensive DIY project.
• Chainplate Inspection: Given the age and the ketch rig’s complexity, the stainless steel chainplates and the wooden blocks they pass through should be inspected for crevice corrosion and water ingress, which can rot the structural bulkheads.
• Deck Core: While Westerly hulls were robustly built, the balsa-cored decks can develop soft spots around the windlass or stanchion bases if deck fittings have not been periodically re-bedded.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical support is the Westerly Owners Association, one of the largest and most active owner groups in the world. They maintain a comprehensive technical library, including original brochures and wiring diagrams. Additionally, the Laurent Giles Archive provides historical design data and original plans for the 36-foot series for those performing structural restorations.

The Verdict

The Westerly Medway 36 is an "honest" yacht—heavy, stiff, and built to withstand the rigors of the English Channel or a transatlantic crossing. It lacks the turn of speed found in modern performance cruisers but offers a level of security and interior volume that is difficult to match at its second-hand price point.

Pros

• Exceptional stability and heavy-weather handling.
• Spacious, logical interior layout for long-term cruising.
• High build quality from a legendary British yard.
• Very rare aft-cockpit configuration with fin-keel performance.

Cons

• Underpowered in light winds (requires significant engine time or a large genoa).
• Typical 1970s maintenance issues (osmosis, headlining, aged engines).
• Higher complexity and maintenance costs of a ketch rig.