Westerly Yachts was a yacht yard based in England and was active from 1963 to 2000. The yard was founded by former RAF pilot and engineer Dick Carter, who was inspired by the developments in American yacht building at the time.
In the early years, Westerly mainly built sailing yachts between 20 and 35 feet. The company became known for her sturdy and well-built ships that were suitable for both the heavy seas of the North Sea and for comfortable holidays on inland waterways. In the 1970s and 1980s, the company grew into one of the largest yacht builders in Europe and exported ships all over the world.
Unfortunately, things went downhill for Westerly Yachts from the 1990s. In 1992 the company was taken over by British Aerospace, who soon realized that yacht building was not their core business and sold the company again. Westerly then changed ownership several times and tried out several new models, but failed to compete with other yacht builders. In 2000 the company was closed permanently and the molds and designs of the ships were lost.
Although Westerly Yachts no longer exists, the ships are still popular with sailors for their quality and durability. Many Westerly owners are members of an active and engaged community and events and gatherings are still regularly organized to keep the brand alive.
DOEVE Brokers and Valuers is your dedicated yacht broker for sailing yachts built by Westerly. For further information about selling your Westerly or if you wish to purchase a Westerly, please contact us.
