Design and Construction
Where the earlier Macwester 26 had used encapsulated lead in solid glass keels, the 27 departed from that configuration by using shaped iron ballast secured to the GRP stub keels. The boat is a bilge-keeled sailboat, and that twin-keel geometry gives it a draft of 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) while allowing it to dry out upright on tidal moorings or beaches. At 8.2 meters (26.97 feet) overall with a beam of 2.79 meters (9.15 feet), a displacement of 3,350 kilograms (7,385 pounds), and a ballast of 1,120 kilograms (2,469 pounds), the design shows a high ballast-to-displacement ratio of 33.43. The 27 has solid and robust construction that can withstand rough weather and seas.
Rig and Handling
The 27 is a masthead sloop with a deck-stepped mast that is simple to lower when necessary, and all sail controls are led back to the cockpit for easy handling. With a sail area of 30.57 square meters (329 square feet) and a moderate sail-to-displacement ratio of 13.92, the boat is relatively stable and stiff with a good righting capability. Yet the same mass that lends composure also limits agility: the design is not very fast or agile, especially in light winds or upwind sailing, and may need help from the engine in such conditions. Period assessments note a lively and less comfortable motion at sea under sail, and the boat is not intended for ocean sailing or long-distance voyages.
Accommodations
Below, the MacWester 27 makes a strong case for its size. The aft cockpit with tiller steering sits above a self-draining cockpit with a locker for storage, and the interior carries four berths in two cabins with standing headroom of 1.83 meters (6 feet). The forward cabin has a V-berth that converts to a double with an infill cushion, while the main cabin offers two settee berths usable as singles. The galley to port holds a gas cooker with grill, a sink, and a cooler; opposite, the starboard navigation station provides a chart table, instruments, and an electrical panel, with the head aft of it carrying a marine toilet and sink. The layout offers a lot of space and comfort for its size, both above and below decks.
The Verdict
The MacWester 27 is a thoroughly practical small cruiser for sheltered-water and coastal British and European sailing, where its bilge keels and drying ability matter more than raw pace. It is an upgraded version of the Macwester 26 with better sailing performance and manoeuvrability, deeper draft, and profiled ballast. Buyers seeking a light-air flyer or bluewater passage-maker should look elsewhere, but as a stable, beamy, and accommodating weekender it remains coherent.
Pros
- Bilge-keel layout enables drying out on tides or beaches
- High ballast-to-displacement ratio yields stiffness and good righting
- Roomy two-cabin interior with full standing headroom for the size
- Deck-stepped mast and cockpit-led controls ease handling and mast work
Cons
- Sluggish and unagile in light wind or on the wind; engine often needed
- Lively, less comfortable motion under sail
- Not suited to ocean or long-distance voyaging
