Westerly Nimrod 18 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Westerly Nimrod 18 means understanding that the “Nimrod” name covers more than one builder. Westerly itself built 186 between 1968 and 1971, then the moulds passed to Nimrod Marine and later Anglo Marine, who produced further boats that are not Westerlys despite sharing the hull. A buyer should confirm the builder before assuming marque pedigree.
Layouts on the Used Market
The boat that matters to most seekers is the original Westerly: a 17 foot 9 inch fractional sloop with two reasonable berths below and the option of two child berths under a cockpit tent on deck. Later Nimrod Marine or Anglo Marine hulls from the same moulds carry the same footprint but lack Westerly construction provenance. The cabin is minimal by any cruiser standard, and one period assessment notes the boat lacks the living space a Westerly typically offered, which is worth weighing if you plan more than weekend escapes.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market the spinnaker is a commonly fitted item, reflecting the boat’s dinghy-derived speed focus and making her a lively light-air performer when bought with one. Beyond that, the retracting 120 kg ‘L’ centre plate is standard equipment rather than an upgrade, giving the shallow draft and trailering ease that define the design. Buyers should look for the rolled side decks and toe straps as original sailing features rather than later additions.
What to Inspect
The published surveys show no structural or systems defects for the Westerly-built Nimrod. The one documented consideration is the limited accommodation, which period reviewers linked to the low original sales numbers anchor. Practically, inspect the centre-plate trunk and retraction mechanism for wear, since the plate retracts completely into the hull for launching and shallow draft and is the boat’s most moving structural part anchor. Confirm the builder identity, as later same-mould boats are not Westerlys even when visually identical anchor.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for these boats are the United Kingdom and Ireland. For a buyer, the checklist is short: verify Westerly builder status via hull papers or serials; confirm the centre plate retracts smoothly and the trunk is sound; check for a spinnaker as a common performance asset; and accept the minimal berths as the trade-off for a very fast, easily trailed 18-footer.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Westerly Nimrod 18. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $2,708 | — |
| Nov 25 | 1 | $1,697 | -37.3% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $1,697 | 0.0% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $2,307 | +35.9% |
Where they're listed
Westerly Nimrod 18 listings appear across 2 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 3 (75.0%), followed by Ireland.
Country view
4 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $1,697 | 3 | 1 | 75.0% |
| Ireland | $2,708 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Craft 18 | 18' | $ 3,776 | 11 | 5 |
| Westerly Nimrod 18You are here | — | $ 2,002 | 4 | 1 |