LM 27 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The LM 27 comes to market in a single recognisable layout built around the distinctive wheelhouse. The helm is inside, sheltered under the pilothouse roof, with an opening hatch above the steering position and a small galley immediately to port. Most boats also carry a removable tiller for cockpit steering — a practical backup that owners of older boats have generally kept in good order. Aft of the wheelhouse, the cockpit is compact and self-draining; a fold-out two-section table that stows flat against the aft cockpit coaming is found on the great majority of boats and is essentially part of the standard fit.

Down below, the saloon opens from the wheelhouse and offers two settee berths with a central drop-leaf table. Both settees typically convert to doubles, giving four comfortable sleeping berths with a further two in the vee-berth forecabin — the forecabin is usually separated from the saloon by a folding concertina door rather than a solid partition. A heads compartment to port holds a marine WC with a pull-out washbasin, and a large hanging locker sits to starboard. The mahogany interior joinery found on most examples is warm and robust; varnish upkeep is the main cosmetic burden. Headroom throughout is generous for a boat of this length.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Boats coming to market are routinely fitted with heating — not surprising given that most have spent their working lives in northern European waters where a diesel cabin heater is a practical necessity. A chartplotter and autopilot are commonly fitted, reflecting how owners have updated navigation and passage-making convenience over the years. Radar appears frequently as well, and furling gear on the headsail has become a near-standard sight even on older hulls where owners have added it as a refit item. Dinghy davits are a regular addition, reflecting the motorsailer role these boats often play as liveaboard or extended-cruising vessels.

Among owner upgrades, a bimini over the cockpit is a frequently seen addition for owners who sail in sunnier latitudes or want shade at anchor. Solar panels have become a common sight as more owners fit modest electrical generation to support electronics and refrigeration without running the engine. Running rigging is often found in refreshed condition, as the relatively modest dimensions of the rig make re-rigging an accessible and affordable project.

What to Inspect

The fibreglass hull and sandwich-construction deck are generally durable, but osmotic blistering below the waterline should be assessed carefully on any older hull, particularly on boats that have spent extended time in warm-water berths. Deck hardware fastenings and the integrity of the sandwich core around high-load areas — stanchion bases, chainplates, and any fittings drilled through the deck — deserve close attention.

The engine installation is central to this boat's identity. The LM 27 has been fitted with several different engine alternatives over its production run, including Volvo Penta and Bukh diesels in various configurations. Whichever engine is present, inspect the raw-water cooling system, impeller, heat exchanger, and shaft seal carefully. The shaft drive fitted to all LM 27s is mechanically straightforward and requires less long-term maintenance than a saildrive, but the cutlass bearing and propeller shaft should be checked for wear. The fibreglass fuel tank is original equipment on many boats; inspect it for condition, as aged GRP tanks can develop permeability issues.

The long keel is integral to the hull and does not suffer from the keel-bolt corrosion problems associated with bolted fin keels, but the keel-to-hull join and any antifouling paint over the keel root are worth examining for stress cracking. The rudder, hung on the keel and typically skeg-supported, should be checked for delamination and bearing play. Interior woodwork, especially in the bilge and under the berth bases, should be inspected for signs of moisture ingress or softness in the structural timber. The mahogany joinery is durable, but any areas where varnish has been allowed to fail can hide early rot in secondary timbers. The wheelhouse structure — its glazing seals and the joint between the pilothouse coaming and the deck — is a known source of minor leaks that, if left unaddressed, can introduce moisture into the core of the sandwich deck.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The LM 27 is widely available across the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Scandinavia, which is where the great majority of the fleet settled after production. A meaningful number of boats have made their way to Spain and the western Mediterranean, particularly among buyers who originally sailed them south and chose to keep them there. Outside northern Europe and Iberia, the model is uncommon, and buyers in other regions should factor in the cost and logistics of importation if they are committed to finding one.

The LM 27 occupies an unusual niche: it genuinely sails well for a motorsailer of its era and size, it offers a level of onboard shelter that pure sailing cruisers of comparable length cannot match, and its Colin Archer heritage gives it a reputation for sea-kindliness that is well earned. Really well-maintained examples command strong interest and hold their appeal against much newer boats. The buyer who takes time to find a clean, well-documented hull will have a capable and characterful cruiser.

Before making an offer, confirm:

• Engine hours, service history, and impeller/heat exchanger records
• Condition of the fibreglass fuel tank and raw-water system
• Osmosis survey result and date of last antifouling treatment
• Integrity of deck sandwich core at all penetrations and hardware fastenings
• Condition of wheelhouse glazing seals and pilothouse-to-deck joint
• Shaft, cutlass bearing, and propeller condition
• State of interior bilge timbers and varnish on mahogany joinery
• Presence and condition of cabin heating system
• Running rigging age and standing rigging inspection record