The Macwester 27 Sailboat

The Macwester 27, designed by Jim Roy and produced in the UK by his company Macwester Marine, was a popular bilge-keeled sailboat of the 1970's.

A Macwester 27 Sailboat, demonstrating how bilge keels can make perfect sense!

Bilge keels enables an owner to take advantage of drying moorings which are always cheaper than deep-water moorings, but of course are less convenient.

However, if you run aground at the top of a spring tide in one of these, you're likely to remain there for rather a long time!

Nevertheless they are popular with sailors, particularly in the UK.

Published Specification for the Macwester 27

Underwater Profile: Twin keel (bilge keels) with skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall: 26' 11" / 8.22m

Waterline Length: 23' 0" / 7.0m

Beam: 9' 2" / 2.80m

Draft: 4' 11" / 1.50m

Rig Type: Masthead Sloop

Displacement: 7,385lb / 3,350kg

Designer: CSJ (Jim) Roy

Builder: Macwester Marine Co. Ltd. (UK)

Year First Built: 1972

Year Last Built: ?

Number Built: ?

Owners Association: Macwester Owners Association

Published Design Ratios for the Macwester 27

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 13.9

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 33.4

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

Displacement/Length Ratio: 271

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

Comfort Ratio: 24.7

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

Capsize Screening Formula: 1.9

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

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Summary Analysis of Published Design Ratios for the Macwester 27

She's considered under-powered when under sail;
She's less stiff than most other vessels in her class;
She's in the moderate displacement category;
Crew comfort in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with that of a coastal cruiser;
She's better suited for ocean passages than some other vessels in her class;