Aloa 27, Mirage 27, Tomahawk 25

[usgreek]

Hello all,

I'm about to buy one of the following and I'm wondering about people's opinions of these three types of sailboats. I will be using it just in the Ionian Islands in Greece which is considered a nice gentle sailing area.

Any opinions, warnings, dislikes?

Thanks ahead of time.

Sue

[Connemara]

Which Mirage 27? The Mirage company of Quebec (RIP) made several hundred 27s, including one of Bob Perry's best designs. (I'm a bit prejudiced because I have hull number 413 and I'm very fond of the boat.)

But I think there is also a British marque, about which I know nothing.

I also know nothing about the other vessels you mention, so I can't make a comparison.

The Canadian Mirages, however, are pretty solid cruiser/racers. They are reasonably fast although pilot error keeps me from winning any races. They're also pretty forgiving of newbie mistakes and with a couple of reefs, they'll ride out most weather -- or at least most that we get on Lake Ontario

The cockpit is long enough for me to lie down in (at 6 feet) but the wheel makes scrambling around a ... well .. scramble. The coamings are high enough to feel secure and comfy to lean on.


The salon is comfortable (again with room for a six footer to sleep comfortably on the port settee.) The v-berth will sleep two, unless one of them has to get up in the night.

Storage is a bit limited, I fear.

What else? Masthead rig, reverse transom, fin keel. The deck has balsa core in most of it, so there's a possibility of water incursion around deck fittings. (Connemara has some areas of moisture but is pretty dry for a 28-year old boat. No delamination.) The hull itself is solid glass.

So, if that's the Mirage you're looking at, there's some info.

Connemara

[barnakiel]

I think some Tomahawks were bilge keelers others not. Bilge keels both good and bad depending on what you are after.

b.

[GordMay]

See the reviews at:
➥ Mirage 26/27 - Used Sailboat Market in Canada
➥ Aloha 27 - Used Sailboat Market in Canada

[usgreek]

Thanks for the information. Is the Aloha the same as Aloa?

[usgreek]

Thanks. What does bilge keeler mean?

[usgreek]

I found info on bilge keel boats. Never heard of them before. Looks like some Tomahawks are bilge keel and some are fin keel. I checked the specs brochure on the one I'm considering and it's a fin keel.

Thanks!

[boatman61]

The Aloa is I believe a French marque... I do know the 23 sailed well...
The other 2 are UK marques... both popular cruiser/racers...
Other than that... not a lot...

[rcolesny]

Has anyone ad to deal with a leaking rudder post stuffing box and had to replace it ?

[Halifax Sailor]

Hi, I have a 1980 Mirage 27, hull 323. Purchased about 5 years ago and have done some upgrades, not many as the boat for the age is very solid. I replaced the engine mounts and the stuffing box, re-aligned everything and suddenly I can get an extra 1-1.5 knots of speed with same rpm's. Now the issue is water overflowing the rudder post. Looked at many solutions including a flex thing from Finland (late night surfing the web). Turns out it is just neoprene with a couple of clamps and it stops the water intrusion but have to modify the rudder assembly to fit the product and two clamps to make it fit and have enough slack so rudder can move. SO, being a cheap sailor, I found a dive shop, purchased some 1/4 inch neoprene for $10. I have enough for about 10 years!! Used 3m-4000 and glued a small piece on the outside hull around the rudder shaft, making sure it hugs tight to the shaft. Piece is about 4" X 4". After 3m dried, I painted with anti-fouling and VOILA!! no more leaks at any speed, admiral no longer spends much time lifting floor boards looking for water and no longer have to vacuum out water before it starts to smell. Great fix, easy fix, and this is third year for same patch and it is still holding up.

Other than that issue, boat has served me well, family enjoys it and only costs what I want to spend, not what I have to spend. Very low maintenance. LOVE THE BOAT!!