Westsail 42 Ketch

Description

The Westsail 42 Ketch is a renowned American bluewater cruiser, part of the Westsail 42/43 series designed by William I.B. "Bill" Crealock (who created it as his ideal heavy-displacement passagemaker, drawing on traditional double-ender influences while modernizing for fiberglass). It was built by Westsail Corporation (USA) from 1974 onward, with production continuing until around 1980 (hulls 1–116 by Westsail), after which the molds were sold to Jomarco (who built a few additional hulls, bringing the total to 119 for the 42 model). The ketch rig (along with cutter and occasional yawl options) was available from the start, with the same hull used for both the center-cockpit Westsail 42 and aft-cockpit Westsail 43. It became legendary for exceptional seaworthiness, proven in countless ocean voyages and circumnavigations, thanks to its ultra-heavy displacement, long keel for tracking and stability, thick hand-laid fiberglass hull, comfortable motion in heavy weather, spacious interior (often with private cabins, full galley, nav station, and liveaboard-friendly layout), and versatile ketch rig that splits sail area for easier handling in strong winds or short-handed scenarios—making it a no-compromise "go-anywhere" boat for serious cruisers.