The Westerly 36 was formulated as a result of much consultation and debate between the Partners and Westerly Marine. The concept was for a yacht that although should be more modern in appearance than the earlier yachts, should have better performance, point higher and carry a more contemporary sheer line. The hull was tank tested at The Woolfson Unit of Southampton Technical College and gone is the signature Giles knuckle in the forward hull. Originally the hull lines were quite pinched aft in an attempt to ease the flow around the rudder but mainly to explore loopholes in the I.O.R. handicap rule, after two or three trials in the tank a ‘bustle’ was added – a feature which would migrate to many I.O.R racing yachts in the months and years to follow.