Leisure 27 weather helm

[Slow_boat]

SWMBO has decided that the next boat has to be a Leisure 29 becuase she likes the accomodation layout. (this weeks choice, anyway)

There aren't many around and the Leisure 27 is cheaper anyway. I have heard tales of excessive weather helm on the 27. Does anyone here have any comments or experience of the Leisure 27?

 

[Eygthene]

Don't know about the behaviour of this particular model, but you correct weather helm either by shortening forestay to reduce mast rake or by putting a reef in the main.

 

[Slow_boat]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't know about the behaviour of this particular model, but you correct weather helm either by shortening forestay to reduce mast rake or by putting a reef in the main.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for that.

Perhaps I should mention that I have a Macwester 26. I'm used to dealing with excessive weather helm, which is one reason that I don't want my next boat to have it!

 

[captainslarty]

Hi, there may be an owners club with more info.
You can also try winding in a tad of genoa if roller furling, this often helps as it moves the centre of effort forward in the foretriangle.

 

[Goldie]

I sailed one a few times about 5 years ago. My recollection is that yes, it does suffer from weather helm and need reefing very early as apart from the weather helm, it was pretty tender. The other down side was the size of the cockpit which was far too cramped for 2 adults and 2 small children. my friend only kept it for about 18 months for all the reasons above. Sorry /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif . By the way, I don't know how many of these traits were carried over to the 29.

 

[moondancer]

I'm prepared to be flamed but IMHO the're pretty pants to sail.

 

[moondancer]

[ QUOTE ]
SWMBO has decided that the next boat has to be .........

[/ QUOTE ]

Surely the first rule of buying a boat is buy one for yourself. You might end up with a caravan and find that your SWMBO doesn't come with you anyway. Buy something that is a bit of fun, stock up the drinks cabinet and make it suitable for single handed sailing!

 

[Dyflin]

The place to ask is here

We have the 23 and find that any weather helm is easy to correct by reducing sail area.

Very thoughtful and and enlightening comments by some posters here... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif