1974 WestSail Cutter

Pearl has that rare blend of pedigree and potential that serious cruisers look for. She’s already proven herself on an ocean crossing, then spent decades preserved on the hard instead of being slowly worn out at a dock. The recent refit work tackles the big-ticket foundations: hull, bottom, decks, spars, and critical systems like lighting and galley gear. Inside, the refreshed woodwork gives her the warm, dry feel you want in a traditional cruiser, not a musty project. With a simple sail inventory and a freshly serviced diesel, she’s set up as a straightforward, no-gimmick passagemaker you can continue to refine to your own systems and electronics preferences.

A heavy-displacement WestSail cutter shines in waters where conditions change quickly and distances between safe harbors can be long. The long keel and hefty underbody tame steep chop and confused seas, while the cutter rig lets you snug down sail area without drama when the afternoon breeze pipes up. Generous tankage and deep storage make it easy to stay off the dock for extended stretches, and the protected cockpit and robust deck hardware inspire confidence on rougher days. For sailors who want the option to head offshore yet still be comfortable gunkholing along the coast, this design offers a secure, forgiving platform that’s equally at home on a weekend or a long passage.