Wanted Jaguar 27

[edinburghbill]

I want to buy a Jaguar 27 this winter.
All the brokerage yachts I know about.
If you want to sell your J27 (or know someone who does)
drop a line to wmitchell@blueyonder.co.uk

Sorry. no alternatives considered,

Regards

Bill.

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[capt_courageous]

Why?

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[bob_tyler]

I agree Why? I spent 2 weeks sailing one in the Aegean and they don't handle well. The accomodation is good but they "wander" under both sail & power. Not a good design IMHO.

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[ronniewood]

If they are so bad why were several thousand build in the States under the Catalina 27 name and still attract owners all over the place. Can't say I found them any more of a wanderer than most fin keel and balanced rudder designs. If set up right they will sail with hardly a touch on the helm and my autohelm never objected because of motoring problems.
Boat tests and reviews were always pretty positive, all in a good all rounder for the size and a good seaboat to boot.
Perhaps you were comparing them to your Invicta or similar which probably sets a higher 'tracking' standard.

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[bob_tyler]

"Perhaps you were comparing them to your Invicta..."

You may be right there but I previously owned a Trident 24 which was also much steadier. My criticism of the Jaguar really applied to winds of Force 4 upwards when I found it difficult to hold a steady course on a reach or run despite being appropriately reefed.

As the Catalina she was designed for use in US waters where Force 3 was the normal maximum. Russell Marine when they started building in the 60s, and renaming, the Jaguar range always upped the rigging specification to meet UK conditions.

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[stevebirch2002]

Being totally biassed I must also ask WHY.... Have a look at the Albin Vega 27 for a much more seaworthy boat that will handle just about anything. Dont be lulled by sailing a chartered one in the Aegian or like. If you are intending to sail in UK waters ( and from your username I expect Scotland) then you really should reconsider. All this IMHO but have a look at www.albinvega.co.uk

Steve Birch

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[Davy_S]

Have to agree 100%! I used one for two weeks in the Ionian, I have never sailed anything that wandered about so much. Under engine or sails. In fact it was more directionaly stable in reverse. The Vega will sail rings around it!

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[graham]

Pros and cons can be said about all boats.

Invicta sails like a witch but cramped below.Vega good seaboat not handy in tight spaces .The Jaguars seem a lot of boat for the money to me.

bill PM sent about a boat I spotted when nett surfing.

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[cliff]

Spent two YEARS sailing one (not two weeks) and covered several thousand miles around the west coast of Scotland and Ireland in all weathers up to force 8 without a problem. I suggest perhaps the jaguars in the med are well shagged as they are charter boats (I mean sails, rudder bushes, rigging).

Anyone who would decry the jaguar 27s performance or sea keeping ability obviously has not had sufficient experience of them.

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[Davy_S]

There are two versions of the jag 27. The med version has a very large hatch/companionway, the northern climate version is a lot different. Perhaps there is other differences in the keel rudder ect?

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[PIGLETSDREAM]

Trapper 500/501 The best 27ft boat afloat. IMHO

<hr width=100% size=1>Must go, Matron is coming

 

[cliff]

I believe so - I remember reading somewhere about transom hung rudders being fitted on some jaguars - don't like that idea at all.
Anyway, aren't there a lot of currents and eddies around the Ionian sea? they would make keeping any boat on course a little harder than "normal".

Anyway, as the man said "Sorry. no alternatives considered," so it is academic in any case.

As a foot note my 16 year old daughter brought the jaguar "home" 18 miles, at night, while I was below teaching the son to play poker and when we arrived I checked the track - she was never more than 200 yards off track during the whole crossing so I don't think to say the jaguars are hard to keep on course is a fair or accurate criticism. Note: the daughter could not see the plotter from the helm.



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[bob_tyler]

My experience was in one with a transom hung rudder. I actually checked the gudgeons & pintles as she wandered so much but they were OK.

I did not know that there is an alternatively hung rudder. If so that may be the answer!

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[dickh]

I am biased of course, I've had my J27 for seven years now(fin keel) and am totally happy with the performance and handling from light airs to F7, In fact my friend who has a Contessa 28 prefers sailing my J27 as it's ALWAYS faster and sails better than his Contessa!

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[dickh]

Bob, as far as I know there was only one J27 made with a transom hung rudder - look on the website:-
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/westgatefamily/default.htm>http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/westgatefamily/default.htm</A>

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I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[bob_tyler]

As far as I can remember the whole flotilla had transom hung rudders.

I will see if I have any photos which show this. May take a while as I'm not sure where they are.

Bob

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[Thistle]

Have you had a look at the Jaguar Owners Association website? It's now at http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/westgatefamily/default.htm

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[Laurie]

jaguar 27 info

Having come across this thread, I was a little concerned about the misinformation it contains about the jaguar 27. I would advise anyone to go to the current Jaguar Owners website...........
The J27 is (was!) a licence built derivative of the original Catalina 27, & the boat is a slightly smaller Trapper 500 in many respects.
Many in the UK were also offered with fairly effective twin keels. A FEW were built with transom hung rudders (not the med. charter fleet), & one was built to order to include a substantial full depth skeg.
The boat has a reputation as a fairly fast family sailing boat with excellent vice free handling, & will or should if set up properly, sail itself (F3) quite happily without touching the helm.
It has a good motion at sea (for a 27 footer) as it has a fine forefoot.
If anyone want to have any further info., either visit the website, I can be contacted from there, as the current administrator forwards enquiries on to me.
The website has photos, tech specs & tests.............

The "one boat" referred to by dickh with the transom hung rudder on the westgate site is mine. It is the one boat with a full depth skeg.
Re the differences hatches....that is also mistaken; the 27 mainhatch (a jag trademark), opens up most of the saloon to the sky, & they have a large forehatch that opens up the heads & more besides.........