Halcyon 27.

[moondancer]

Hi,

I haven't been on the forum for a while so hello again. Looking to sell Moondancer and get a Halcyon 27, or something deep keeled similar.

Anyone have any views on the Halcyon??

I know a few on the east coast have them.

Brian

 

[Jan Harber]

My sister and brother in law sailed a Halcyon 27 for many years, on the East Coast, and their two boys sailed with them from tiny to teenage stage.
They regularly spent summer holidays cruising, on the East Coast or across to Holland and Belgium.
She was a most seaworthy boat and never let them down, being something between a Folkboat and a Twister performance-wise.
The cockpit is not large and accommodation below not spacious compared with more modern boats of the same size.
They seem to have stood the test of time because, as you say, there are many of them still around.

 

[FullCircle]

Brian, you had better check if the berths are long enough for you...

 

[NealB]

I had one for a while some years ago.

Exactly as you'd expect from her looks, really:

dependable, solid performance, particularly reassuring in a blow, rather tender at first, but great fun to sail with the doghouse windows forming part of the waterline, surprisingly heavy on the helm (though well balanced), somewhat unpredicatable in tight quarters when going astern, and cramped inside by modern standards.

In often regret selling her.

 

[halcyon]

Hi,

I haven't been on the forum for a while so hello again. Looking to sell Moondancer and get a Halcyon 27, or something deep keeled similar.

Owned our Halcyon 27 for 10 years now, the first boat the wife will helm under sail. Hard to comment on standard boats, as ours was modified by previous owners for an Atlantic cruise. Over 3 years they went to USA, down the Eastern seaboard, around the Caribbean, and back via the Azors, Gib, eastern Med and Biscay. So I think you can say a safe solid cruising boat.

Space depends how many people you plan to have on board, in our case there is room for the two of us. I would call it cosy, which is what we were looking for.

Our layout is 2 birth with a pilot birth in saloon, large chart table, large galley with gimballed full cooker, stern lazerette so we have a cockpit about two foot shorter.

Brian

 

[Gargleblaster]

Brian,

I've sent you a PM. A member of the RSA is the ultimate expert on Halcyon 27s.

 

[Athene V30]

Sailed a Halcyon 27 several times when in RN and loved the boat. When looking for boat I saw 2 or 3 but none had a berth long enough for me (6'1") so I bought a Cutlass 27.

I might know of someone who could be persuaded to sell their Cutlass too!

 

[Burnham Bob]

I was on the committee of the Offshore Yachts Association for several years (the 27 was made by Offshore). this is the website link

http://www.oycoa.org.uk

you'll findf a yachting monthly review there from when she was first launched. i had a 23, and the 27 was also designed by Alan Buchanan. in those days seagoing capabilities and sailing performance were the main requirements, and it was later that more generous accommodation became the norm.

however, if you are cruising as couple, i don't think you'll find the 27 lacking. you might need to think about the engine that's fitted, in those days engines were purely and simply 'auxiliaries' and these days we use the engine a lot more. the original was a Sabb diesel I think. they are solidly built (think brick s**t house if the grp is anything like my 23 was) so a 14-16hp diesel would i think be the right choice nowadays.

and like all long keels the best thing in reverse is to let the boat go where it wants to and then pretend that's what you wanted to do.........

on the website there's a 27 with a nearly new beta diesel. i have a beta in my trapper 500 and they are good and reliable. good luck!

 

[wakatiki]

Halcyon 27

Hi, I started my proper sailing in a mates lovely Halcyon 27 out of Galmpton, just above Dartmouth. some responses have commented on berth length. The main saloon berths had "trotter boxes" and my friend is over 6ft tall. The starboard berth extends under the large chart table and the port (with head by the galley) extends into hanging locker opposite heads.

All the usual compromises of smallish boat living... eg there is s detachable saloon table which is eminently usable but prevents you from going forward once its set up.
Long keel gives expected directional stability but is not the best for tight maina berths... though undoubtedly this improves with the owners experience.

The Halcyon was often featured in articles in the early editions of "Sailing Today" as the original Editor Philip Dunn owned one called "Jalcyon".

As an owner of a Westerly 31... I appreciate the interior moulded headlining which although a little prone to condensation does not sag or droop!

Cheers John

 

[iancowell]

I had one for many years.

Great boat, very strongly built, sailed well, but as others have said a bit tricky when going astern.

Accommodation was fine for two (preferably vertically challenged)

My one had been fitted with a Yanmar 1GM which could be a little underpowered when punching against a spring tide in some parts of the Thames estuary.

You should be able to pick up a good one for £9k +

 

[nathanglasgow]

Pm sent