MGC 27 with Wing Keel

[Merlinman67]

I currently have a Bolero but I am strongly thinking about buying something a little more suitable for sailing with the family.

I have been looking at the MGC 27 and notice there are couple for sale on Apollo Duck, one of which is quite local to me but has a shallow draft tandem Wing Keel.

Can't say I have seen any others with this configuration of Keel. does anyone know anything about them and how well they sail or if you need to reduce canvas a lot earlier than the usual fin keel design?

Would be interested in any other comments people have regarding the MGC 27

 

[charles_reed]

A Rob Humphrey's design for the Contessa 27.

You'll find the wing keel keeps leeway down, but you'll have less heel resistance than with the deep keel.

Being a fractional rig you keep the blade jib up and shorten sail on the main. Family sailing - I'd regard it more as a slightly detuned racing boat - but with single-line reefing it would be practicable.

Only sailed the deep keel version, but have been given comparisons with the drop-keel, (quite good) and shallow draft wing-keel (not so good)

 

[E39mad]

The MG 27 is a great sailing boat. Nicely balanced with an easily driven hull. Quick too. She is 29'6" overall. Sounds like the keel is the Warwick Collins wing keel which would have been a special order or added as a replacement. Worth doing some research into the keel design as heard good things over std wing keel.

 

[Seajet]

The MG 27 is a great sailing boat. Nicely balanced with an easily driven hull. Quick too. She is 29'6" overall. Sounds like the keel is the Warwick Collins wing keel which would have been a special order or added as a replacement. Worth doing some research into the keel design as heard good things over std wing keel.

I agree, sounds like it, but check, should have a longitudinal gap between keels if so.

Wing keels are not a magic answer; they don't penetrate below the generally 1metre deep surface drift layer after a strong gale to grip the less mobile, non- leeward flowing water.

Other snags are easily collecting lines & flotsam, and if one should go aground it will tip the boat on her beam ends, very likely to fill when the tide returns.

The wing keel / twin ( vulnerable ) rudder configuration is not for boats regularly drying out unless doing so on a billiard table surface in reliable calms and watched like a hawk.