Do I own a 42 or a 43?

  • September 17, 2021 6:26 AM
    Message # 11096545
    Deleted user

    Hi fellow Westsail people! I've owned my boat for about 10 years, and I can't believe I only found this site now.  I've got a really stupid question, I'm sure its been answered before but I couldn't find it in the search.

    I bought Koae originally listed as a Westsail 43, from the original owner who was building her out from the kit. I never really put much thought into it, as she is close to 47 overall (50 with the Monitor wind vane). We finished her out, lived aboard, and sailed her lots, did a repower, ended up in RI and now we have her listed for sale.

    The more I look at stuff online, the more it looks like we are actually a 42. She is cutter rigged, center cockpit. Originally I was told the ketches were 42, cutters 43, but that doesn't seem right. Sailboatdata says that its the same hull as the 43, but 43 should have aft cockpit? Can anyone a little more plugged in let me know? Hull number also has a 42 in it...

  • September 17, 2021 10:01 AM
    Reply # 11097138 on 11096545

    Hello Jesse,  yes, you own a Westsail 42, which is about 42’ 11”.  The same as the Westsail 43.   The 42 being the center cockpit and the 43 being the aft cockpit.           Dave

  • September 18, 2021 11:52 AM
    Reply # 11099647 on 11096545
    Deleted user

    Thanks Dave, I appreciate the info

  • February 16, 2022 10:22 AM
    Reply # 12605120 on 11096545

    Jesse, The W42 center cockpit version molds were built first, and after a time, the hull mold was used to make a plug to create the molds for a Westsail 43 aft cockpit version.  So the hulls are identical except for the caprail.  The W43 does not have the rise aft on the caprail.  And of course, the decks are different, although I believe the forward half of the deck and trunk cabin are about the same..

    I do have a place on my westsail.com website for only Westsail boats to be advertised for sale.  If you are interested in advertising there, send me an email to bud@westsail.com and I can let you know the procedure.  

    My website does get a lot of traffic for owners looking for information on the boats, and prospective buyers looking to purchase one.  I do recall the original owner as Neal Walker, and he sold W42 #55 Koae in 2010.