Kerry 27 - Opinions?

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Old Thady

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I'd like to buy a keelboat for pottering and short cruises on the southwest coast of Ireland. I did a lot of dinghy sailing in my youth and I owned a Drascombe Longboat for a few years but this would be my first 'big boat'.

One boat I've seen for sale is a Kerry 27, a simulated clinker long-keeler from the early 70s. Twenty-six of these were produced (in County Kerry I think) and you see the odd one in Irish harbours. However I've never spoken to anyone who's owned or sailed this boat let alone sail one myself. Does anyone have experience of the Kerry 27? I'd be interested and most grateful to hear any opinions.
 
Me too! Did you buy it?
Where are they all? There's one for sale at Woodbridge but I've never heard of them before. I'm interested.
 
I've no experience of them, but there's various info on the internet.

Very nice looking boat, from an experienced designer and builder. Must have been doing something right to sell 26 of them in that location, and they've survived and a number of them have ended up at least as far away as England and the continent.

Folkboat type of influence, so will have the advantages and disadvantages of that type. Looks quite beamy and capacious compared to some others of the type. It's suggested online that it's an updated version of the Lymington Slipway 5 Tonner.

For a boat of this age and type condition, including that of the engine, will be crucial - more important than the exact model of boat. Will almost certainly have a replacement engine. Sailboat data says they typically had a Couach (Renault?) 6hp petrol engine. Modern tastes would prefer a diesel with more power, and the Renault marine engines (if that's what the Couach is) were not generally highly regarded (and probably very difficult to obtain spares for now.).

Could be a lot of fun, and a boat to be proud of owning, but needs careful inspection and preferably a survey.
 
LittleSister said:
I've no experience of them, but there's various info on the internet.

Very nice looking boat, from an experienced designer and builder. Must have been doing something right to sell 26 of them in that location, and they've survived and a number of them have ended up at least as far away as England and the continent.

Folkboat type of influence, so will have the advantages and disadvantages of that type. Looks quite beamy and capacious compared to some others of the type. It's suggested online that it's an updated version of the Lymington Slipway 5 Tonner.

For a boat of this age and type condition, including that of the engine, will be crucial - more important than the exact model of boat. Will almost certainly have a replacement engine. Sailboat data says they typically had a Couach (Renault?) 6hp petrol engine. Modern tastes would prefer a diesel with more power, and the Renault marine engines (if that's what the Couach is) were not generally highly regarded (and probably very difficult to obtain spares for now.).

Could be a lot of fun, and a boat to be proud of owning, but needs careful inspection and preferably a surveThank you for this, it's kind of you to reply.
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Thank you for your reply, it's kind of you.
The engine is a 2 cylinder Nanni. We have a 4-cylinder Nanni in our old Broads motor cruiser and it's been trouble-free. They are asking £3,950 for the boat, about what a fresh engine is worth, I'll take a look and report back.
 
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