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| Safely berthed at the excellent Gillingham Marina.... |
Snow Goose is a well preserved 1973 Series 1 Macwester 27. She has been substantially refurbished and
improved internally, has a recently installed Perkins 25 HP three cylinder
engine, and many new features including cooker, heads, water tank/pipework,
inflatable and outboard. Although the sails are in good condition most of the
sailing setup had been less ‘loved’ than the interior and engine when I
took her over. However the sails and
running rigging have all been cleaned and are now all in good working order.
The electronics, although sound, were outdated and instrumentation has now been
repaired and/or replaced. The boat is
now in good ship shape.
Since buying her in Newcastle I had her transported south on a
lorry to Gillingham Marina where she spent the winter. During this time she had
two or three cold but enjoyable outings in the Medway. In May I brought her up
to Greenwich for the start of a sailing season in the Thames Estuary –
an environment which should suit her relatively shallow draft and bilge keels
well.
Most people’s reaction to the news that I sold Spray,
a Drascombe Coaster, and bought a Macwester is one of surprise; the Macwester has
a reputation for sedate progress and, to sailing eyes, is a little undercanvassed - unexciting. This may be so but the boat suits me well. It is heavy at 3300kg and relatively easy to
handle which will help single handed sailing, and has already shown that with a
good wind she performs reasonably well – not fast but fast enough. Snow Goose
is a pleasure to sail and to stay on board. She also has a fine engine which
has already proved very capable, for instance motoring into a force 5/6
wind-over-tide chop. One of the great pleasures of this vintage of boat is the
internal layout, with table and seats facing one another to one side of the
cabin, all set high enough to be able to sit and look out of the large cabin window.
She also has a door rather than washboards – very civilised.
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| ....seen from above... |
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| ....and doing 5.5 knots down Sea Reach in a breeze |
