Leisure 27

[themount2]

Looking to buy our first cruiser, checked out a 1978 model at a used show recently, impressive space and appears easily handled. Any comments would be useful plus expected price range. Thanks

 

[Goldie]

Never owned one, but sailed a friend's fin keel version a few times. Great acommodation for the length, but a tad small in the cockpit if you're thinking of sailing more than 2 up. Sweet engine installation (saildrive) and manouevrable under power. The very narrow aft side decks make getting from cockpit to deck a bit of an obstacle course. Under sail, I recall that she is rather tender and heavy on the helm in anything above a 3. Perhaps doesn't inspire the confidence of some other classes. I would definitely sail one before agreeing to purchase. There are definitely better sailing boats in that size range, but it all depends upon your priorities. Look at everything and test sail the short-list. Good luck.

 

[JeremyF]

See if you can get in touch with Rob Webb, a regular poster. He has a Leisure.

<font color=blue>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=blue>

 

[webcraft]

Have you visited the Leisure Owners Association site?

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.leisureowners.org.uk/new_site/contents/l27.html>http://www.leisureowners.org.uk/new_site/contents/l27.html</A>

- Nick

BlueMoment.Com
http://www.bluemoment.com

 

[Strathglass]

Sailed two of them quite a lot, when I worked for a yacht hire company. Quite nice to sail but certainly not the best helm reasonable but they do not have the balance of a throughbred. Certainly not helped by the large tank under the forecabin. The ones I sailed had really worn out sails, so perhaps my comments are not fair. I have covered over ten miles in an hour with just SHMBO as the crew. However it took over four hours to cover the same distance in the opposite direction with the engine on.
It really depends on the specific craft, the ones I sailed were bilge keel but were quite good to sail but not nearly as responsive as the likes if a GK24 or an Impalla.
Try it, see how you like it then make your own decision.
Iain

 

[SimonD]

Same size, similar prices, similar age but with huge cockpit, good size heads, massive wet locker and a delight to sail - have you considered a Jaguar 27?

 

[billmacfarlane]

I've only ever sailed one once . It's no greyhound but very commodious. Handling under engine was reasonable. Other boats in the same class are Sabre 27 , Westerly Centaur , Jaguar 27 and Snapdragon 27. The Leisure probably has the best accommodation of the named boats.