Jaguar 27, any vices / problems?

[dukes4monny]

Hi all, I have just taken a good look over a Jaguar 27 with a view to purchase, and I have to say that I am quite taken with it.
Before I make a final decision, I thought I would ask the ever helpful members of this forum if they know of any problems / vices with the marque? I'm really looking for known structural problems rather than engines / layouts etc.
She's fairly well kitted out, and sailed well but with quite a bit of weather helm, but we were a bit over canvassed for the conditions, so I put it down to that.

Also, if I do go ahead, it's a private sale, so any advice with how to proceed (contracts etc.) would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

 

[Heigaro]

We sailed one for two weeks about 15years ago on a flotilla holiday in Greece with Sailing Holidays. They have a fleet of them which they update each year - fridge, bimini.... - and they are still updating them. I think the fact that they stand up so well to this kind of use, often with complete novices, speaks volumes for their construction and reliability.

We found ours a pleasure to sail - no significantly excessive weather helm.

Good luck, Colin. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Billjratt]

One in our club lost it's keel, so make sure the survey is good.

 

[Lizzie_B]

Jaguar 27 is the name that the Catalina27 was marketed under in europe.. You'll find loads of information and support here - www.catalina27.org
The people I know that have them all speak highly of the boats... and some friends have down sized back to them when the advancing years have made them feel uncomfortable with larger boats.
Fair Winds. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[cliff]

Owned one for a few years. Found it to be a great boat for its size. Handled well and saw us through several F8's. Pointed well.

"Cons"
STB rear berth difficult to get into if one is "rotund" but OK for the kids.
Location of the heads sea cocks (one in the forward under berth locker and one under the forward seat in the salon) - easily fixed by fitting two additional ball valves in the heads so main cocks stayed open and the heads could be shut off using the valves in the heads.
Aft locker not sealed from aft berths - easily fixed with a tube of sikaflex.
Tendency to "submarine" in heavy seas - lots of green water over the deck.
Electrical wiring bonded in the deck sandwich - not fixable so needed to run external cables.
Cockpit drains into the aft locker then out the stern - easily fixed by fitting proper drains and hoses

"Pros"
Cheapish boats
Well constructed
Massive main hatch giving a very airy feel to the salon
Good head room
Very forgiving
Good storage space.
Double skinned (not sure if that is a plus but the carpets stayed dry!)
Trailerable (ok big trailer)

Never heard of a keel falling off one although I know of one that smacked Hamilton Rock at a fair rate of knots and knocked the keel off then sailed 16 miles back to the mainland "sans keel" - Don't know how she stayed afloat but she did

Which one are you looking at? the MKI or MKII?

Check out Jaguar Owners Association Web Site for more information.
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

 

[dukes4monny]

Cliff, thank you very much for your appraisal, that's exactly what I was looking for.
My original plan was to get a 'long keeler' for their good seakeeping abilities, but SWMBO who is currently a non sailor, didn't find the interior layouts / space to her liking.
I must admit that I also like long keelers because there are no worries about losing the keel........
Now that I have looked at the Jaguar, she ticks a lot of the boxes for SWMBO and for me, my only concern currently would be the keel.
Do they have bolts that can be accessed for tightening / checking / replacing?

I'm not sure if she is a MkI or MkII, what are the differences? She doesn't have a transom hung rudder if that helps?
She has been around the world already, so she's a fairly tough old boat............decisions decisions

 

[jordanbasset]

Hi had one recently for two weeks with Sailing Holidays. They must be very strong as atleast 4 people grounded them in that time, but no noticebale damage or problems with the keel was noted. Bearing in mind they were close on 30 years old and if the people we were with was any indication I would suggest each mnust have been grounded many many times. Despite this they seemed to hold up well.

 

[cliff]

MKI has a linear galley midships on the port side. MKII has an "L" shaped galley portside but aft (no portside aft quarter berth) and a large portside cockpit locker - the cockpit locker on the MKI's is very shallow to allow for the aft quarter berth.

As for keel bolts they are all easily accessible by lifting the panel located beside the salon table plinth. As I said I have never heard of a Jaguar 27 keel "falling off", being knocked off, yes but not falling off.

Have a look at the Jaguar owners web site, clcick on J27 then photos to give you an idea of what they can be like.

If I was downsizing I would seriously look for a Jaguar 27 again.

Another "pro" for the 27 is the size of the cockpit at 8' long - long enough to stretch out and lie down for a snooze - quite suprising for a 27'er!.
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

 

[dukes4monny]

Jordanbasset: Well that's very reassuring. Hopefully I wont be running aground that often, so I should be ok /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cliff: it sounds like she's a MkI, she has the linear galley with the port quarter berth.
I think I can feel an offer coming on.........just hope nobody beats me to it now.

Thanks again for all advice given.

 

[markstirling]

Take a look at the owners site, and the very active discussion forum. Of course all the contributors have already made their minds up!
Mines a Jaguar 25 which is very similar and its built like a brick outhouse.