Westport 130 Review (2004 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The 130-foot Westport toured was built in 2004, now a little over 20 years old, and even with that age, it remains a very lovely and comfortable cruising superyacht. Boarding is via the passerelle, which brings you past the bathing platform. A door here leads from the engine space straight out to the transom, so it’s handy for technical access as well as water-level fun.

The cockpit is a welcoming first impression, with generous space for gathering before stepping inside. Moving up from here, the upper aft deck offers a broad, uncluttered expanse. There’s provision for a tender or jet skis using deck sockets, plus what appears to be a hot tub set discreetly under cover. From here you can drop down to the cockpit or head up to the sun deck.

The sun deck is an open-air social hub, with another bar and grill beneath a hardtop providing welcome shade. It’s set up for al fresco dining with the option to enclose panels for shelter or remove them entirely for a fully open deck. The teak underfoot looks superb. Standing at the forward edge here offers that helm-high vantage point for taking in rivers or estuaries on approach.

Moving forward via the exterior side decks, you pass the bridge wing doors on either side before continuing to the foredeck. Here there’s sunbathing space aft and a robust anchor-handling setup right forward, complete with substantial bollards. This long side passage brings you full circle back to the cockpit, with views in through the main-deck lobby windows as you go.

Stepping inside from the cockpit brings you into the main saloon - a comfortable, convivial and stylishly classic space with a proper ‘yacht’ atmosphere. Forward is the dining room, almost its own separate space, ideal for more formal meals.

The galley sits in the crew-service zone but is a fine space in its own right - generous in size, with plenty of refrigeration, cooking facilities, and direct access to the side deck for provisioning. There’s also a dedicated crew mess with its own small galley area.

On the bridge deck, the sky lounge offers a relaxed, secondary saloon. It’s an inviting space for movies or a quiet evening drink, with a big TV, an exceptionally comfortable armchair, a bar area, and walls adorned with underwater artwork.

The bridge itself is a well-equipped command centre with dual radars, a camera system, stabilisation controls, and a compact office area tucked at the back.

Owner's Cabin

Forward on the main deck, past the day heads, the owner’s cabin takes full beam and carries a classic richness in its timber finishes. There’s a massive walk-in wardrobe and a large ensuite that’s arranged in a twin layout - each side with its own basin and dressing space, plus a bath and shower, and toilet facilities. While the idea of using both sides at once might amuse some, it’s clearly designed for private, individual use.

Guest Accommodation

The lower deck carries four guest cabins, all en suite and finished in the same warm, classic style as the rest of the yacht. Two aft doubles make the most of their beam with generous walk-in wardrobes and roomy bathrooms, each with a shower positioned forward. Moving toward the bow, the two twin cabins also manage to include walk-in wardrobes and fully equipped en suites, a rare touch for cabins of this size, giving every guest plenty of storage and their own private space.

Crew Accommodation

Crew accommodation lies forward of the galley. This area includes the mess, the secondary galley, and laundry facilities. There are multiple crew cabins - at least three in this section - but access into them depends on occupancy at the time. Laundry facilities are also found on the lower guest deck in a dedicated utility space, complete with a slide-out dryer that wouldn’t be out of place in a home utility room.

The engine space is home to twin MTU 12V 4000 diesels, each producing 2,735hp. This gives the yacht a top speed of around 23 knots and a comfortable cruise at about 14 knots. Estimated range is roughly 800 miles, though that figure may vary depending on load and sea state.

Also in here is a fuel polishing system, two Northern Lights generators (one each side), and additional refrigeration. There’s direct access from the engine room to the bathing platform for service or water access. The machinery spaces are clean and well-laid-out, making routine checks straightforward.

Running a 130-foot Westport of this age and calibre is a full-scale operation, and annual costs can easily reach 8-12% of the yacht’s current market value, depending on usage, cruising grounds, and the level of crew and maintenance standards you choose to uphold.  

Core expenses include major machinery maintenance on the MTU 12V 4000 engines, which are capable but demand rigorous adherence to service schedules. Expect significant outlays for top-end overhauls at recommended intervals, along with regular generator servicing, stabiliser maintenance, and updates to navigation and hotel systems.

Dockage fees vary widely - Med marinas and US East Coast prime locations can command well into the high five figures per season - while full-time crew salaries and benefits for a yacht of this size typically run $500,000 or more annually. Then there’s the cosmetic upkeep: teak decks that need periodic sanding or replacement, exterior paintwork to keep the gloss alive, and soft furnishings that inevitably require renewal after seasons in the sun.

Multiple laundry stations and extensive refrigeration speak to a design intended for serious, self-sufficient cruising, which also means higher consumable usage and more equipment to service or replace. Insurance, compliance with evolving safety regulations, and the occasional refit or systems upgrade all add to the total.

For buyers weighing their options, two rivals worth considering are the Mengi Yay 41M - offering a custom Turkish build with a modern, fast-displacement hull and plenty of scope for personalisation; and the Benetti Motopanfilo 37M, which blends classic styling with Benetti’s latest engineering and a slightly smaller footprint for reduced crew and dockage costs. Each brings a different character and operational profile, but both sit in a similar ownership bracket for those seeking an alternative to the Westport’s established American pedigree.

A big, comfortable Westport with space everywhere you look, proper cruising pace from the MTUs, and decks made for long, lazy days or lively evenings. Guests get walk-in wardrobes and full bathrooms no matter which cabin they’re in, and the crew have the space and kit to keep her running smoothly on long trips. Two decades on, she’s still a go-anywhere superyacht.