Halcyon 27 - Any insights?

[Harmen]

Hi,

I am currently thinking of buying my first own yacht, and caught my eyes on a Halcyon 27 for around £6,000. Build 1972.

I have had a look at a few other 27ish ft yachts, but have not committed to one so far, but would like to do so this year.

The viewing is this weekend and i wanted to know if anyone has got experiences with a Halcyon 27.

What are common strengths and weaknesses? Any red flags that I should be aware of?

Thanks,
H

 

[Tranona]

Welcome to the forum

Very well regarded boat in its day, but by today's standards considered old fashioned, and cramped - a "small" boat for its length. Some people like this style of boat and it is one of the best of its type. If it is this one yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1972-halcyon-27-9009461/ then it is probably as good as you will get in terms of visual condition and equipment. Unlikely to be anything seriously wrong with it and it looks ready to go unlike many 50 year old yachts but strongly recommend a survey.

Good luck

 

[MisterBaxter]

I read a PBO article years ago about a couple who were cruising long-term around the world in one, having decided that getting on with it in a small, tough, simple boat was better than saving and dreaming. They were very happy with the boat, with no plans to change after many years of cruising.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

If it has lasted this long and is still afloat then it boils down to the condition of the main components. As already stated, it's a pretty standard boat for its era with no known vices (apart from the inability to function properly in reverse ).

It gets a few mentions here:

Classic cruiser boats: Why these GRP models are now being welcomed into the fold
Offshore Yachts Halcyon 27 Information
Archive details of Halcyon 27 - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers

... and this thread

First boat - Halcyon 27

At this end of the market, it's all about condition and reliability of the major components like engine, sails, hull and superstructure. New sails are going to cost about 33% of the boat price, and a used engine about 50% including fitting.

If you like the boat then get a survey ... you can't expect a boat this age to be problem free, but a survey should ensure that you buy something that just needs lots of tlc with no nasty shocks or crippling expenses.

 

[Wansworth]

My father bought a new one back in 1969,great little sailing boat in the tradition on the folkboat

 

[Harmen]

Welcome to the forum

Very well regarded boat in its day, but by today's standards considered old fashioned, and cramped - a "small" boat for its length. Some people like this style of boat and it is one of the best of its type. If it is this one yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1972-halcyon-27-9009461/ then it is probably as good as you will get in terms of visual condition and equipment. Unlikely to be anything seriously wrong with it and it looks ready to go unlike many 50 year old yachts but strongly recommend a survey.

Good luck

Thanks and yes it is that one. What do you think a survey may cost?

 

[Harmen]

If it has lasted this long and is still afloat then it boils down to the condition of the main components. As already stated, it's a pretty standard boat for its era with no known vices (apart from the inability to function properly in reverse ).

It gets a few mentions here:

Classic cruiser boats: Why these GRP models are now being welcomed into the fold
Offshore Yachts Halcyon 27 Information
Archive details of Halcyon 27 - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers

... and this thread

First boat - Halcyon 27

At this end of the market, it's all about condition and reliability of the major components like engine, sails, hull and superstructure. New sails are going to cost about 33% of the boat price, and a used engine about 50% including fitting.

If you like the boat then get a survey ... you can't expect a boat this age to be problem free, but a survey should ensure that you buy something that just needs lots of tlc with no nasty shocks or crippling expenses.

Thanks for sharing the link - lots more to read today

Do you know what a survey may cost?

 

[Harmen]

My father bought a new one back in 1969,great little sailing boat in the tradition on the folkboat

Yes, I learned sailing on my father's folkboat 20 odd years ago. I quite like the design for weekend cruising and day trips.

 

[Sea Change]

Thanks and yes it is that one. What do you think a survey may cost?

As a ballpark figure expect to pay about £500 for a survey. Maybe you'll get lucky and it will be less on a boat of that size. Only way to find out is to email a few surveyors for quotes.
Many people wouldn't bother getting a survey on a small, simple, and sturdy boat like the Halcyon. But if it's your first boat then it will provide peace of mind, and will make it easier to obtain insurance.

 

[DoubleEnder]

She looks very tidy. These are good boats. All the other comments are very valid. All I would add is that Upholstery can be surprisingly expensive to replace so take a good look at that.

 

[capnsensible]

Joint Services Sailing Centre had quite a few back in the day. Soldier proof. And crab proof (RAF) so top recommend.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

If it has lasted this long and is still afloat then it boils down to the condition of the main components. As already stated, it's a pretty standard boat for its era with no known vices (apart from the inability to function properly in reverse ).

It gets a few mentions here:

Classic cruiser boats: Why these GRP models are now being welcomed into the fold
Offshore Yachts Halcyon 27 Information
Archive details of Halcyon 27 - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers

... and this thread

First boat - Halcyon 27

At this end of the market, it's all about condition and reliability of the major components like engine, sails, hull and superstructure. New sails are going to cost about 33% of the boat price, and a used engine about 50% including fitting.

If you like the boat then get a survey ... you can't expect a boat this age to be problem free, but a survey should ensure that you buy something that just needs lots of tlc with no nasty shocks or crippling expenses.

As @Sea Change said, depends on the surveyor, I'm in Germany so no real idea how much a survey on a 6K boat in the U.K. would cost, but at least get someone who knows about boats and preferably boat engines to have a look at it if you want a second opinion. The engine is the most expensive part of the boat and if you plan to go through the Crinan canal and out to the islands, then a reliable engine is essential IMO.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and the boat in Kip Marina looks like as good as you're likely to get of that vintage.

 

[Wansworth]

My father paid two thousand five hundred,complete

 

[Bodach na mara]

Looks like a tidy wee boat from the photos. A few points, the Beta engine is a replacement and may be quite new, a survey will probably not say anything about the engine, you will need a survey for insurance unless you get third party only insurance.

Although it is an old boat it will be basically sound and I would have given my eye teeth for it at one time. In fact I may even be looking for one like it in a year or two when I will need something simpler and cheaper than my current money-eating hole in the water..

 

[RogerJolly]

So nice to see a tidy boat presented without miscellaneous crap strewn everywhere. Well done that seller.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

My father had one from new in the 1960s, and my brother and I both sailed her. Good solid boat; the one we had is still around. Quite tender; she sails with the lee deck under a lot of the time, but that's a function of the hull shape - she's "wineglass" shaped so she goes over much further than a modern fin keel boat. It's actually a good thing in a gust - she'll just lean further over, while my Moody 31 rounds up into the wind if over-pressed. As others have said, conventional for her age below decks, but we (a family with two older teenage boys) were fine in her. But be warned that expectations have moved on - in her day, the Halcyon 27 was a large family cruising boat; these days she's small, and as built lacks many amenities expected today.

If one had been on the market when I was looking, I would have been sorely tempted, but she is a young person's boat these days.

 

[Stemar]

at least get someone who knows about boats and preferably boat engines to have a look at it if you want a second opinion. The engine is the most expensive part of the boat and if you plan to go through the Crinan canal and out to the islands, then a reliable engine is essential IMO.

I'm not sure £600 on a survey is value for money on a £6K boat, but definitely have someone who knows boats go with you. How old is the standing rigging? If it's more than 15 years old. your insurer is likely to want it replaced, and that'll be a sizeable chunk of the boat price - £2-3K, perhaps less in Scotland, I'm in the Solent, where everything costs more.

As for the engine, it's a decent motor even if it is getting on a bit. If it starts well from cold (check the exhaust manifold and sump are at ambient temperature, if they're warm, the owner may not be confident - big red flag), doesn't smoke once it's warmed up and it pushes the boat along nicely, it's probably good to go.

 

[DoubleEnder]

Rigging yes it’s expensive to go and get it all replaced by a specialist rigger. But there are plenty of ‘inland’ riggers who will make up exact copies of the old rigging for you at significantly lower cost. And installing it is easy to do yourself, really.

 

[prestomg27]

Cracking boats for the money. Very seaworthy, if the peripherals have been kept up to spec. I had a Varne 25, which is basically a grp folkboat and it was very similar but with less headroom.

The only thing I would say, and iy applies to any boat of that age, is that the rkiging, engine and sails could each cost as much, or more, than the boat is worth and i think you need to budget for one or two of those coming to fruition in your ownership.

But a great way into boat ownership.

 

[Goldie]

I'm not sure £600 on a survey is value for money on a £6K boat, but definitely have someone who knows boats go with you.

I tend to agree BUT, if your insurer is likely to demand sight of a recent survey anyway (many/most do for an older boat) then why not have it done BEFORE buying the boat?