MG Spring Integrity?

[DKnight]

I have heard there were some strength problems with the MG Spring.
A friend is thinking of buying one, that is one owner and built by "Jaguar"
We would like to know if there are any concerns about their structural integrity, and whether there are any other areas of concern.

All comments would be appreciated.

P.S. Is there an owners association? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[smee]

I had a Spring a few years ago and there was no problem with its strcutural integrity, it passed a survey when I bought it and when I sold it. Can't remember if it was a "Jaguar" one but it was pre-Northshore. Perhaps you are confused with the mast problems widely known about, that the very early ones had circa 1987, which most certainly are going to be fixed by now.

 

[fastjedi]

I believe they have a reputation for chain plate failures. When I was looking last year they either had cracks in the deck around the chain plates (early indication of a failure) or "strengthened chain plates and a new mast"

Eventually I went down the Hunter route ..... although some care and research is required to avoid Hunter build problems too!

 

[pandroid]

See this thread http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/269428/page//vc/1
and JJ's reply.

 

[asteven221]

I had a Spring a few years ago and it was a great boat. I still think very undervalued on the market. There was a problem with the mast which was something to do with to much metal being drilled out at the spreaders causing a weakness. Not really the fault of the boat as such as it's a bought in part. I believe they were all sorted early on as the fault was obvious. It's fast boat but light. Reef early and enjoy. The biggest issue we had was with the engine power. Not anything wrong with the Yanmar that was in it - rather the folfing prop which I was assured was the right size, however we couldn't motor into an sort of big headsea. I still think it was probably the wrong prop however. The interior was pretty simple with a prepacked feel to it, however the up side of that is that it's simple and easy to keep clean and upgrade etc...... As I said it's a great boat and a ideal if you want something that looks modern as opposed to some of the older style boats around which look dated to me. Have fun.

 

[PureChemistry]

I bought my MG Spring in Gurnsey, Sailed it up to Glasson, Lancaster where I raced her for a short time before heading South. She is now in South Brittany from where I sail her around 2000 miles each year with my family in all weather conditions. (Including being 15 minutes away from a 200 knot tornado on the Isle of Houat last year). I have had absolutely no problem with the boat despite a rather limited maintainace schedule (about 2 days per year) Having sailed many boats I can honestly say that, unless you want to pay well over double the going rate for a Spring, you wont get a boat that provides: the turn of speed and assoiciated "fun of sailing" with accomodation, bathing platform (essential to safe boarding of tenders) an inboard diesel, seperate nav area and chart table, decent locker space and accomodation for up to 6 people all in a 25 footer. They do take some learning to sail to get the best out of them though. Thoroghly recommended. I shall keep mine until I can sell my wife and children for an Ovni 395 at roughly 10 times the price!
Dave Griffin
purechemistry@o2.co.uk