M27

State
Loose One Design
Keelboat

About: The M27 is a well designed, well balanced, yachtsmans yacht. It is easy to handle and can be sailed as fast as many other yachts just under mainsail. These sailing attributes are major factors that most other yachts without the M27s pedigree simply miss. The great boat balance and the ability to turn on a 10 cent piece, while maintaining full control, gives the crew complete confidence in the boat and makes it a joy to sail. This is truly where the benefit of great design can not be surpassed. You would imagine, that with all this to offer, maybe the cruising ability of the M27 would suffer. But not so, she can be fitted out below decks as a comfortable cruiser for those trips to Rottnest Island. It can sleep four to six adults in full length berths and it has a enough cockpit and deck space to allow a large group of people to day sail in comfort. The relatively small sail plan for a boat of its size means that the running cost are well below other boats in its class. All this and more means the M27 is not only fast and easy to sail, but she looks like a yacht should!

Specifications:			M27 specifications
L.O.A			8.22m - 27'
BEAM			2.43m - 8'
DRAFT			1.37m - 4'5"
DISP.			1150 kg - 2530lbs
Year			1979

Designer Kim Swarbrick and Julian Merfield

History: The M27 is a one-design yacht designed for racing and cruising. It is intended to provide, a low cost, high-performance racing yacht, while at the same time providing a simple and spacious accommodation to exploit the cruising potential of the boat. It is the fleet racing that allows the true yachtsman to improve and hone his skills. There is no feeling like having several boats all within seconds of each other after two hours sailing. This is an experience that all true yachtsmen seek and thrive in. The Metro and State Championships are all apart of that journey to the perfect sail and at the same time enjoying the sport with like minded fellow sailors. The relatively small sail plan for a boat of its size means that the running cost are well below other boats in its class. This means new sail are less expensive and the deck fitting can be smaller and cheaper that boats like the S80. It also gives the added advantage of being easily sailed single handed and the perfect balance of the boat means that the boat can be sailed as fast as other boats when power only by the main. The M27 was originally designed by Kim Swarbrick from detailed plans and specifications supplied by Julian Merfield of the Royal Perth Yacht Club. The design philosophy was to produce a very fast three man keel boat, combining maximum performance with comfortable accommodation at an affordable price. The performance criteria was, to be faster than boats of a similar size such as Diamonds, Solings and S80’s, which it successfully achieved. Since the original M27 named “Innovator” was launched in 1979, the design has been modified in keeping with the latest thinking in strong lightweight planning hulls with low wind resistance. The boat progressed from an all wood version, through a GRP hull with wooden decks, to the present day all GRP versions. Other changes have included a 10 percent increase in sail area, 0.34 metre reduction in the cockpit length to further increase cabin area, an all fibreglass deck with normal cabin top, a 10 percent increase in keel area plus the addition of 50 kg of weight and the installation of a new type rudder with increased area. The boat can sleep four to six adults in full length berths and it has a large cockpit and deck space to allow a large group of people to day sail in comfort. Because of the light ends, the boat has the ability to plane readily when running or reaching in fresh winds. In light weather the sail plan combines with the low wetted surface to provide outstanding performance on all points of sailing. Many owners find that the addition of about 150kg of extra ballast makes them the perfect offshore cruising boat. Competitive pressures among the river sailors have eliminated the ballast and replaced it with crew weight instead. The racing crew is three to five including the helmsman, but she can be sailed quite easily single-handed. The M27 is not only fast and easy to sail, but she looks like a yacht should. M27's are still being built today, with over 40 boats built and sailing in WA.

Websites: www.m27.org.au

Sailed_at:

Claremont Yacht Club
East Fremantle Yacht Club
Fremantle Sailing Club
Nedlands Yacht Club
Perth Flying Squadrin Yacht Club
Port Headland Yacht Club
Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
Royal Perth Yacht Club
South of Perth Yacht Club