Halcyon 27 - Any insights?

[prestomg27]

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?

I think 3rd party is wisest on a boat that age. A lot cheaper, no need for a survey, less restrictions on geographical cruising areas and nocrestrictions on winter use.

Nobody will nick a boat of that age and not.desperately tragic if it sank and you lost the money. The key thing is that you are protected if you scratch a superyacht.

 

[Sea Change]

- £2-3K, perhaps less in Scotland,

When I got Z-Spars to make up new rigging, including bottlescrews, for my 27ft Vega in 2010 it came to under £450.
I'm sure there's been some inflation since then but £2-3k sounds like daylight robbery.

 

[Tranona]

When I got Z-Spars to make up new rigging, including bottlescrews, for my 27ft Vega in 2010 it came to under £450.
I'm sure there's been some inflation since then but £2-3k sounds like daylight robbery.

Perhaps you need to come up to date.

In 2022 I had similar but a bit larger diameter to your £450 purchase - it came to £1600. Add unstepping and stepping mast plus labour to strip and replace gets you well over £2k. Of course DIY will bring that down but still £1500+

 

[Sea Change]

Perhaps you need to come up to date.

In 2022 I had similar but a bit larger diameter to your £450 purchase - it came to £1600. Add unstepping and stepping mast plus labour to strip and replace gets you well over £2k. Of course DIY will bring that down but still £1500+

The last time I bought new rigging was 2021, when I had new stays made up for my 39ft Moody. Because I was doing the job with the mast standing, I had to use swageless fittings on one end, which added significant cost. But I reused the old bottlescrews.
I went with Z-Spars again and it was £1350.

 

[Tranona]

The last time I bought new rigging was 2021, when I had new stays made up for my 39ft Moody. Because I was doing the job with the mast standing, I had to use swageless fittings on one end, which added significant cost. But I reused the old bottlescrews.
I went with Z-Spars again and it was £1350.

Bottle screws were around 40% of the cost of each stay (9 on my boat) - around £70 each so obviously a big saving if you re-use the old ones even using Sta Lok rather than swaged terminals for the lower end.

 

[NealB]

Back in the 90's, I owned the Halcyon 27 'Landfall' for about five seasons.

Very good looking boats, to my eye, that are easily handled at sea, and very strongly built.

She was perfect for two of us, pottering around the Solent, with longer excursions to France, Scilly and the Channel Islands, but she also coped happily enough when we occasionally had other couples join us on weekend jaunts.

Like most boats of her style, close quarters manoevuring could be somewhat challenging.

I loved the old single cylinder Saab engine with variable pitch prop.

We often used to cruise in company with friends and their Van de Stadt Invicta 26, 'Windfall'.

Many happy memories.

(I'd go along with Tranona's comments in post #2.)

 

[onesea]

If you want to have double beds, showers acres of space, an oven and to fine dine then she is the wrong boat for you. Keep saving your budget needs to grow a little.

If your happy with a small comfortable, cramped boat to go sailing, enjoy being afloat with basic grub on a small budget she might well be for you.

She might not need as quick as your modern boat, she will be comfy when the going gets tough.

It depends if your sailing is racing to make the dinner reservation, or accepting your when you arrive and enjoy what you find.

 

[Athelcow]

Hey OP, I am in no way a rusty seadog with decades of experience sailing like many on this forum, but as someone who got a Halcyon 27 three years ago as a first boat I thought I would give you my 2cents, and hopefully you may find some of what I write useful.

I sailed dinghies and crewed for friends and fellow club members, and out of all the boats I have been a guest on, I knew I wanted something with beautiful classic lines, simple enough to single hand, with a heavy long keel for that extra piece of mind. The Halcyon will give you all of that, with the added bonus that in that sort of class of 27 footers from the 70s (albin vega, contessa 26, cutlass 27 and various other folkboat derivatives) you won't find a boat with more headroom than the Halcyon (at least right by the companionway). Be prepared to hit your head often when below, she is narrow and can feel cramped easily, I am young and 176cm tall and I can stomach it, but be mindful of this. The boat feels as solid as a rock, heavy, sure, and she'll need a bit more wind than her more modern counterparts, but once the sails fill up nicely and she heels to leeward you'll feel the keel really gripping the water, carrying a lot of momentum and slicing through like she was made to drink all seas, and take you to distant places. I truly love sailing this boat. It's not like more modern cruisers or fin keelers and you will have to get a hang of certain manouevers and going astern - even bringing her to a stop is a different matter from other boats - but what excites me the most about her is that she feels like a trusty old sea beast that will keep you safe in big seas, and an oversized dinghy you can sail all by yourself at the same time. The long tiller, transom hung rudder and really spacious cockpit (I have sailed with as many as 6 friends in there) are all features I have learned to appreciate and praise. I have been in unpleasant conditions in the channel and have smiled like never before seeing how well she handled it. I was caught pants down in a near gale in the Solent and when in danger and in doubt, for every moment I knew my skills might not suffice to take me safely back ashore, I felt I could trust her to do what she does best: sail, sail, sail. And that I could see clearly: I chose to sail on as little canvas as I could instead of relying on the engine, and there I was, marvelling at how easily I could keep her under control while going for safety. She seemed not to mind the sea state at all. Looking back now I know it would have gone differently in a boat that is prone to more leeway, her, she stayed firmly on course and brought me back in one piece. I find she is not the ideal racer in a mixed club fleet, but with the right wind and without making mistakes I have snatched some good results that left people baffled. One tack too many and you might not cling to any advantage ever again on that race. For a beginner like me, every sail is an opportunity to hone skills, and this boat is so rewarding, every decision matters extremely, and getting it right on a long keeler feels so good. Make sure the engine is a runner, replace the standing rigging if older than 10y, and make sure you check the mast step area for bends and cracks, as the mast is stepped on the coachroof and this area is critical. I plan on taking mine very far, and I hope to continue having the means to be her custodian for many years to come.

If you are looking for a fast, light, "flick the tiller and spin the boat around 360" kind of vessel, look elsewhere, but if you want classic looking, sturdy as a rock, rewarding and safe do consider the Halcyon 27 at length, she is great, and from experience I can tell you this is what many sailors will tell you, across many sailing clubs all over the UK.

All the best!

 

[bpbpbp]

Is there a significant difference between the Varne 27 and the Halcyon 27?

 

[Tranona]

Yes. Very different designs. The Halcyon is a Folkboat derivative with a long keel and attached rudder. The Varne is a more modern fin and skeg design which in general terms would be faster and more agile. It has a longer waterline 18" more beam, lighter displacement and greater sail area. the greater hull volume allows more space in the cabin but still a "small" boat.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

there is a YouTube channel with all the insights you might want!
https://www.youtube.com/@SVNimbus

Nice boat but don't berth next to a Twister unless you want your head turned ;-)

 

[Daisy 10]

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

Hi how did you get on with buying this boat

 

[bpbpbp]

Hi, I decided to wait as I am still undecided. I am 193cm tall and would like something bigger but would recommend this boat otherwise.

 

[Daisy 10]

Hi, I decided to wait as I am still undecided. I am 193cm tall and would like something bigger but would recommend this boat otherwise.

I am the same height I have a leisure 23sl at the minute great boat it’s my first sail boat
if I am in two minds wether to buy a bigger boat as current one is pull start outboard
& would prefer a sprayhood. I seen the halycon advertised at kip marina for £2000 & wondered
if you had bought it,

 

[IanCC]

The last time I bought new rigging was 2021, when I had new stays made up for my 39ft Moody. Because I was doing the job with the mast standing, I had to use swageless fittings on one end, which added significant cost. But I reused the old bottlescrews.
I went with Z-Spars again and it was £1350.

Nic 31, 2021, ex forestay, including bottle screws, 7mm for cap and back, £1200. I fitted myself. South coast.

 

[C08]

My father paid two thousand five hundred,complete

He could have bought a decent house for that then...but not as much fun!

 

[Wansworth]

He could have bought a decent house for that then...but not as much fun!

His house in 1964 cost 6,500……in West Sussex …I guess cheaper in other parts of the country………30 que was a good weekswages