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 twin-keeled Macwester 27 sailboatA 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

read more about these all-revealing numbers...

Summary Analysis of Published Design Ratios for the Macwester 27

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

Sailboats in the Macwester range include:

  • Macwester Kelpie 15
  • Macwester 26
  • Macwester 27
  • Macwester 28
  • Macwester Rowan 22
  • Macwester Rowan 8m
  • Macwester Rowan Crown
  • Macwester Wight 31
  • Macwester Wight 32

Sailboats designed by CSJ (Jim) Roy include:

  • Atlanta 28
  • Macwester Kelpie 15
  • Macwester 26
  • Macwester 27
  • Macwester 28
  • Macwester Rowan 22
  • Macwester Rowan 8m
  • Macwester Rowan Crown
  • Seaforth 36
  • Macwester Wight 31
  • Macwester Wight 32

After founding Macwester Marine in 1964, Jim Roy (1916 - 2010) designed all the sailboats that his company produced.

Used Macwester 27s for Sale...

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