Design and Construction
The Westsail 43 has a solid fiberglass hull, a long full keel, and an attached rudder. This configuration favors directional stability and grounding protection over agility.
With a displacement of roughly 31,500 pounds and 11,000 pounds of lead ballast, the boat falls into the “ultra heavy cruiser” class based on its displacement-length ratio of about 380. Only 8% of comparable designs are heavier, according to its ultra heavy cruiser classification. Its 35% ballast ratio is higher than that of 27% of similar sailboats.
The length-beam ratio of 3.30 makes the Westsail 43 roomier than 54% of other designs. Its calculated motion comfort ratio of 43.9 is more comfortable than 96% of similar sailboat designs, a figure consistent with the boat’s mass and beamy hull form. It trims at roughly 1,509 pounds per inch of immersion, so it sits deep and changes trim slowly under load.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The cutter sail plan is conservative rather than racy and carries more rig than 50% of similar sailboats. Using the ISO 8666 reference sail, the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 15.2; with a 135% genoa, it rises to 18.1. Even so, the SA/D figure indicates that the Westsail 43 is faster than only 12% of similar sailboats in light wind.
Theoretical hull speed is 7.7 knots, based on the 33-foot-4-inch waterline. The wetted bottom surface of about 462 square feet, combined with the long-keel hull, points to predictable tracking rather than quick acceleration.
Standing and running rigging follow practical cruising dimensions. The mainsail, jib/genoa, and spinnaker halyards are each 34.1 meters long and 14 mm in diameter. Sheets range from 13.1 to 32.7 meters in length and are 16 mm in diameter.
Accommodations and Layout
The 13-foot beam and 33-foot waterline give the Westsail 43 a voluminous interior typical of Crealock’s Westsail designs. Its aft-cockpit layout distinguishes it from the Westsail 42.
A capsize screening value of 1.65 and the comfort-oriented ratios point to a boat intended for offshore living and passage-making rather than coastal sprinting. The large hull and heavy construction provide a platform for extended cruising loads without a disproportionate loss of performance, given the modest theoretical hull speed.
Known Issues and Limitations
The known concerns center on performance boundaries rather than material failures. Light-air speed is limited, and draft varies from 5.68 to 5.98 feet depending on load.
The Verdict
The Westsail 43 is a deliberately old-fashioned, massively built cutter for sailors who value comfort and seaworthiness over pace. It rewards patient passage-making and load-carrying with a hull that the numbers place among the most stable and roomy of its peers. In return, the owner must accept modest light-wind performance and the draft of a long-keel boat.
Pros
- Ultra-heavy construction and a high motion comfort ratio—more comfortable than 96% of similar designs
- Long full keel and attached rudder for directional stability
- Cutter rig with generous rigging dimensions for offshore service
- Roomy, beamy hull—roomier than 54% of comparable designs
Cons
- Slow in light air—faster than only 12% of similar sailboats based on SA/D
- Draft varies with load and reaches nearly 6 feet
- Fewer than 100 built
