It retained the marque’s emphasis on heavy, family-oriented cruising yachts but adopted a substantially different ballast arrangement. Roy refined the hull through dynamic tank-testing at Southampton University. The result traded outright speed for steadiness, the ability to dry out, and a genuinely roomy interior for its length.
Design and Construction
Unlike the earlier Macwester 26, which used encapsulated lead in solid glass keels, the 27 carried shaped iron ballast secured to the GRP stub keels. Its twin-keel arrangement gives it a draft of 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) and allows it to dry out upright on tidal moorings or beaches.
The MacWester 27 measures 8.2 meters (26.97 feet) overall, with a beam of 2.79 meters (9.15 feet). Displacement is 3,350 kilograms (7,385 pounds), with 1,120 kilograms (2,469 pounds) of ballast, giving a high ballast-to-displacement ratio of 33.43. Construction is solid and robust, capable of withstanding rough weather and seas.
Rig and Handling
The 27 has a masthead sloop rig and a deck-stepped mast that is simple to lower when necessary. All sail controls lead back to the cockpit for easy handling.
Sail area is 30.57 square meters (329 square feet), and the moderate sail-to-displacement ratio of 13.92 contributes to a relatively stable, stiff boat with good righting capability. The same weight that gives the boat its composure also limits its agility. It isn’t particularly fast or nimble, especially in light winds or when sailing upwind, and it may need assistance from the engine in those conditions.
Period assessments also note a lively, less comfortable motion at sea under sail. The boat isn’t intended for ocean sailing or long-distance voyages.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The aft cockpit has tiller steering, is self-draining, and includes a storage locker. Below, the MacWester 27 makes a strong case for its size, with four berths in two cabins and standing headroom of 1.83 meters (6 feet).
The forward cabin has a V-berth that converts into a double with an infill cushion. In the main cabin, two settee berths can be used as singles. The port-side galley includes a gas cooker with grill, a sink, and a cooler. Opposite, the starboard navigation station has a chart table, instruments, and an electrical panel. The head is aft of the navigation station and contains a marine toilet and sink.
Overall, the layout provides plenty of space and comfort for a boat of this length, both above and below decks.
Verdict
The MacWester 27 is a thoroughly practical small cruiser for sheltered-water and coastal sailing in Britain and Europe, where its bilge keels and ability to dry out matter more than outright pace. Compared with the Macwester 26, it offers better sailing performance and manoeuvrability, along with deeper draft and profiled ballast.
Anyone seeking a light-air flyer or a bluewater passage-maker should look elsewhere. As a stable, beamy, and accommodating weekender, however, the MacWester 27 remains a coherent design.
Pros
- Bilge-keel layout allows the boat to dry out on tidal moorings or beaches
- High ballast-to-displacement ratio provides stiffness and good righting capability
- Roomy two-cabin interior with full standing headroom for a boat of this size
- Deck-stepped mast and cockpit-led controls simplify handling and mast work
Cons
- Sluggish and unagile in light winds or when sailing upwind; the engine is often needed
- Lively, less comfortable motion under sail
- Not suited to ocean sailing or long-distance voyaging
