MGC 27 Thoughts and opinions

[Boathunter]

I am giving consideration to the idea of an MGC 27 as an option for a small cruiser suitable for weekend cruising in the Solent with my wife and 2 kids.

The boat also appeals as I enjoy some low key club racing and the likes of the RTI race etc and it looks like the MGC 27 would be suited to this well.

I would appreciate any views and opinions people may have on the boat or any alternatives people think I may like to consider.

I would also be interested to hear what peoples views are on the relative performance between the lifting and fin keel versions.

I expressed some interest towards this design a few years ago and there were a couple at the time on the market for circa £15K. I note the current batch that are online seem to be on the market for circa £19K.

What's the view regarding the increase in price. Do we have a case of a greedy owner here and everyone else has followed in their trail or are boats really going up in value.

 

[Miken]

We had an MGC 27 fin keel as our second boat and loved it. At the time there were three of us and the open plan layout gave it the feel of a big boat. They sail well and the self tacking headsail makes short handed sailing doddle she was always a safe boat even though they are relatively light. The only thing was ours had a Volvo 2001 and whilst adequate was a bit underpowered when pushing into rough seas. For the Solent she was perfect and we only went upsize (moody 31) when we wanted to do more cross channel

 

[MGsailor]

Hi Boathunter

I think the MG C27 is a great boat – of course I am biased because I have one. I have raced in club races (and the previous owner did very successfully) but now mostly cruise with the self tacking jib. It is a beautifully balanced boat to sail and fast for their size even with the self tacker, but the predictable handling makes short or single handed sailing easy. As Miken says the Volvo 2001 is short on power by today’s standards (9hp) but is shoe horned in and will be difficult to replace. Mine had an overhaul and runs like new.

There does not seem to be much performance difference between the swing keel and the fin. Out of the water it is easy to see that the fin has more area. However the swing keel goes down a few inches further. I sailed on the same handicap as the fin keel (in the days of the PY that was 958). Where I sail on the east coast the extra complication of the swing keel is worth it but this may not be the case on the solent.

I don’t think prices are going up. I went to see one up for £15K a few years ago and it required a lot of work. At that time good examples were asking around 20K or more.

Hope this helps.

 

[Boathunter]

Thank you for your responses.

Apologies, but a couple more questions. If I am looking at a boat are there any specific points on the MGC that I need to be looking out for which are known trouble spots / weaknesses.

Additionally, how have people got on with the Open plan layout.

Thanks again for your response. Any other views and opinions would be greatly received.

 

[MGsailor]

I don't know of any major trouble spots on the MG C27, they seem to be pretty trouble free. I've heard some have had gelcoat cracking on the transom around the rudder gudgeons due to insufficient backing pads inside but mine is OK. From 1987 they were built by Northshore. There are the usual things that come with age - the splines on the original folding prop were pretty worn, a new one was £500; and the engine was low on compression and needed an overhaul.

I have found the open plan easy to live with for 2/3 people for a week's cruise. We had seven round the table for dinner on one occasion.

PBO did reports in July 1987 and again in February 1999, they were both positive - "fun and fast but not too flighty" was David Harding's verdict!

 

[Miken]

No specific problems other than the normal with a 20 plus year old boat I would check

Hull for osmosis (not really a problem but will effect value)
Saildrive gator (insurance may need it done at 7 years) and not that difficult to do on an MGC
Cracking on the rudder mounts

Other than that on ours we replaced the standing rigging which was not that expensive

Rgds mike

Generally on the on the ones I have looked at the north shore built ones seem to have the best build quality