MG Spring 25

[Windfall]

Some friends of ours are very keen to get into sailing and have fallen in love with a MG Spring 25. She appears to be in good condition, gives them the accomodation they need and is the right price.

My questions;
1. is she a good boat for total beginners? (they are currently doing the shoreside Dayskipper and intend to do the practical asap and have an ex boatbuildier as a in-law who used to race Merlin Rockets)

2. They've just joined the boat club and have been offered a mooring that dries for about 2 hrs at LWS, its soft mud but we're not sure how well the Spring will sit in the mud.

Any words of wisdom out there?

Cheers
Sharon

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[stevebrassett]

Take more advice regarding the mud berth. Although a Spring 25 will take
the ground, they are not recommended for drying moorings. I think it is
because of the twin rudders. Having said that, you may be alright on soft mud,
but investigate further.

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[Windfall]

Any ideas where we could 'investigate further'?

Northshore said it 'might be allright' but actually that's not much use....

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[capricorn]

Considered one also for a while.

Quite a sporty boat, would suit dinghy sailors moving up well I would imagine.

Plenty of info here including a discussion on the suitability or otherwise of a mud berth which looks very much like a question asked by your chum!

http://www.sbrown.demon.co.uk/

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[LeonF]

I Looked at one a few years ago...quite right a fast sporty boat...but was advised against her sitting on a mud berth...or rather in. Likened it to freeing a welly from mud..all that pulling and heaving...as she floats on the tide...for the same sort of money you could probably get a very nice Hunter 23 etc with bilge keels for a mud berth...Not as much performance probably but well built for the price. Good luck

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[salamicollie]

Check the Chain plates!

MG as opposed to Northshore built ones had weak chainplates - there is a modification to do that Northshore will give you info on. If the deck at the chain plates has been plated over in Stainless Steel then its probably been done. If it hasn't Northshore should be able to give you the drawings to get it done - its not very difficult.

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[david_e]

Notwithstanding the drying out issue, I would not think that this is an ideal boat for a beginner, mainly because it is quite sporty and tender(ish). They would be better going for a bilge keeler of a similar size. Westerly Centaur etc.

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[EdEssery]

I own an MG C27 - these are often described as small big boats where the Springs are described as big small boats.

Sit down at the saloon table before you buy one - the cushions are set very low to give sitting headroom and your knees can end up under your chin.

Although I've never sailed one, I understand they can be a bit of a handful at times.

There's also an article in November YM about one being treated for Osmosis.

Good luck,

Ed

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[wiggy]

I bought one 3 years ago and absolutely love it, my family holiday on her each year (me, my wife and 2 young girls). Loads of room down below, great sailing-Ive had 6 knots on the log for 7 hours across the channel on a close reach and thats with the tiller pilot on the helm.
It is true that they initially heel easily but if you reef early its no problem, in any case if you dont reef early you slow down and thats no fun. As to sea worthyness I sailed in the Solent with 35 knots of wind reaching with no problems except removing the grins when we finally got home! 9.75 on the log.
The chain plates only need doing if a problem is evidents at deck level, mine are fine with no mods. To sum up-great accomodation, fab fast sailing, safe and good support via the message board as mentioned above, if you want to know more pm me.
BUY ONE!!!!!

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[smee]

I owned a Spring for 4 years, as my second boat.

Firstly, while the rudders enable the Spring to dry out upright, it would not really be best to do so continuously, as I suspect damage could occur easily, as they are only spade rudders afterall!

Also it is only really suitable as a beginners boat if said beginners don't mind flying by the seat of their pants! If they don't wish to do that, they would be better placed looking at a Hunter Horizon 26 or 27 which has the accommodation along with a less frightening manner!

Certainly if they do go with it, they will need to know to reef the main early, or be on hand with the mainsheet to dump it quick, else they will find her uncontrollable, and that may not be best for a beginner, when faced with a boat that refuses to respond to the helm, because the main is fighting it! And they should also be prepared for the fact that it leans to every gust and rarely, in my opinion, manages to stay in the groove!

It is not a boat I would recommend to pure beginners as I reckon it would do more to put them off, particularly if any one in the crew is nervous!

However if they are keen to race and have cast iron constitions they could probably not find better.

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