Weymouth 34, ISLAND STORM

Broker’s Comments

This substantial semi-displacement hull resembles a Nelson form—unsurprising, given that she was designed by John Askham, a former Nelson builder. Her original construction by Halmatic (who also molded for commercial use) was reassuringly robust, making her exceptionally strong-boned and overbuilt compared to today’s lightweight runabouts. With a sharp stem running aft through slim bows, her bilges are rounded, and she features a three-quarter keel, providing excellent protection for her stern gear, optimizing tracking underway, and enhancing stability at rest. Her close-quarters handling under twin shafts is exemplary; with the addition of thrusters fore and aft, she can spin on the spot and is remarkably easy to manage in tight berths and fairways. At sea, she offers exceptional directional stability and will neither slam nor have a chine knocked, as might occur with a planing hull shape. Thus, she is an ideal offshore passage-maker, allowing cruising at a wide range of speeds without compromising crew comfort and handling tougher water and weather with her long, rangy stride.

Everything is kept super simple and accessible. Her engine bay is brightly lit, painted white, and access is a pleasure. Two heavily insulated central sole boards deaden the throb of her twin Sabres, allowing easy access to all components. Steering gear is housed aft in a lazarette just forward of her transom, making it easy to inspect the rudders and gear. Her aft cockpit is a well-sheltered haven, fully enclosed when needed or open to allow friends to sit comfortably outside her varnished aft wheelhouse doors. The aft cockpit deck is laid in teak, while practical, grippy grey Treadmaster is bonded to her side and foredecks. Robust, over-gauge solid handrails and a full pulpit cage ensure secure movement on deck, and her low freeboard allows for easy boarding through her side gates, with stout timber handrails on the coach roof.

Once inside her wheelhouse, it is clear she is a “proper seaboat.” Her upright forward screens and full-length side glazing provide excellent visibility over her decks, yet she feels dependably cozy and comfortable—even in challenging conditions. Her expertly crafted teak joinery has held up well over the past 43 years (and was largely reworked during a significant interior refit under the expert care of North-Line Yachts in Harlingen). Her reupholstered leather helm chairs and fabric cushions in the wheelhouse are complemented by a smart cream Berber wool carpet. Equipped with a recent suite of Raymarine navigational instruments, she is fully up-to-date in terms of electronics while retaining the feel and charm of a “proper” motor yacht.

Moving forward, the saloon is inviting, with a pair of railway-style sofas facing each other to port—set fore and aft across a convertible dining table. A linear galley to starboard offers plenty of storage options, with good light and ventilation provided by windows and overhead Tannoy-style vents. Ahead of the forward bulkhead is a full-width head/shower compartment that can be cleverly sectioned off as needed, creating a spacious forward master cabin. With five glazed deck lights, an overhead hatch, and ample storage, her forward cabin can be configured as a versatile V-berth or filled in to make an expansive double berth, allowing her to sleep four in comfort.

She has enjoyed careful ownership and has admirably met her current owner’s needs, so please take note of this lovely semi-displacement wheelhouse cruiser.

Owner’s Comments

ISLAND STORM has been a delightful cruising motor yacht, easily operated single-handed and even simpler with a crew. She turns heads wherever she goes and is exceptionally easy to board and disembark when mooring. Her phenomenal Nelson-style seakeeping enhances the feeling of safety, comfort, and quality that permeates her 34-foot length. With her modest size, we’ve always found it easy to tuck into small berths along the South Coast and in the West Country. She is an easy boat to live on, and her deep, spacious, fully teak cockpit is more akin to that of a large cruising yacht.