Production ran from 1986 through 1994, although some sources give 1987 to 1997. This 34-foot-9-inch British sailboat has earned a reputation as a fast, roomy, well-mannered cruiser with genuine racing potential. Writing in Yachting Monthly, one reviewer called it still an excellent buy on those terms.
Design and Construction
Castro’s design and Northshore’s construction made a solid combination in surveyors’ eyes. The boat is built predominantly of glassfibre, with a fixed fin keel and an internally mounted spade-type rudder.
The MG 335 displaces 8,900 pounds, including 3,800 pounds of ballast, and draws 6 feet 3 inches. Its ballast-to-displacement ratio gives it a sure-footed feel, while the modest wetted area helps keep the boat moving in light air.
The fractional sloop rig carries a large mainsail, and the boat came with a self-tacking jib as standard—a useful feature for cruising and short-handed sailing.
Sailing and Handling
By cruising-boat standards, the MG 335 is responsive and fun to sail. Its almost neutral helm is the only handling quirk of note. The boat powers up quickly as the wind builds and performs well upwind and down across the wind range for a yacht of its age, type, and weight.
In competition, it is often at its best in light air. The generous rig and modest wetted area allow it to keep ghosting along when most cruisers are glued to the water. Upwind in a breeze, it can hang on to higher-rated boats. In the right hands, it can still carry its spinnaker in nearly 30 knots, although it won’t surf downwind as readily as newer, lighter designs.
The mainsheet traveller is mounted on the bridgedeck, well forward of the wheel. This keeps the cockpit clear for cruising and short-handed racing, though space becomes tight with a full racing crew.
Accommodation and Stowage
Below deck, the MG 335 has a roomy, well-detailed interior for a production cruiser-racer. A commodious double aft cabin anchors the layout. The saloon is also spacious, although its berths are cranked rather than straight—a small compromise in comfort within an otherwise strong plan.
The galley sits opposite the chart table and works well both at sea and in harbour. The chart table provides plenty of workspace and stowage for small essentials.
Most notably, the detailed joinery incorporates far more stowage than is found aboard most mid-range cruising boats built in the last 40 years. That’s a real advantage for extended cruising.
Systems and Ownership
The original Volvo 2002 raw-water-cooled engine was a known weak point that owners have replaced. Many boats have also had the original leaky deck gland for the electrics replaced with a swan-neck.
The split water-tank arrangement is a thoughtful feature for long-term use. A tank on each side of the saloon is joined by a connecting pipe with an isolating valve, allowing an owner to isolate one side if it becomes compromised.
Known Issues
Prospective owners should be aware of the MG 335’s recognised problem with saloon-window leaks. This issue was largely resolved on the later MG 346. The port-light fittings should also be checked for leaks, while the mast-step pad should be inspected for moisture.
The mainsheet traveller can be difficult to replace because of access from beneath. Surveyors also note that the internal keel matrix can fail after groundings and, in some cases, from the significant overloading associated with hard racing in bad weather. Boats raced frequently tend to soften, often noticeably around the keel root and rudder-stock areas.
The decks are notorious for moisture ingress into the balsa core. Cracking around the floor-pan matrix is also not uncommon among boats with moulded matrices.
Verdict
The MG 335 remains a compelling used cruiser-racer. It’s a Tony Castro design that sails above its weight in light air, has a practical interior rich in stowage, and bridges weekend cruising and club racing better than most of its contemporaries.
Pros
- Fast, roomy, and well-mannered, with real racing potential
- Excellent light-air performance and ghosting ability
- Generous stowage within detailed joinery, uncommon for the class
- Self-tacking jib and large-mainsail fractional rig suited to short-handed sailing
Cons
- Saloon-window leaks are a recognised problem
- Decks are prone to moisture ingress into the balsa core
- The keel matrix can fail, and heavily raced hulls may soften around the keel root
- Cranked saloon berths are less comfortable than straight settees
