Swanson 27

[waynemonastra]

Hi.... Im looking at buying this great looking yacht, however to the best of my knowledge she is the only one in NZ. I missed out on the sale of it a couple of years back, however she has been offered to me this time round. Just keen to talk to other Swanson owners on their thoughts of the vessel.

Im wanting to really know what she is like in all weather (esp heavy seas given my future plans) and what she is really like in a sea boat. I live on a 30ft yacht now so the interior size is no issue, and i do plan to make a few internal changes in that department.

Would love to know as much info as offered as their not alot online and she is a very very rare boat in NZ...So pros, cons, any info would be greatly received, and just incase it comes up, yes i will be getting a survey

Thanks in advance

[Fore and Aft]

I have surveyed plenty of Swanson built boats and they all seem pretty good. The ones I have surveyed have all been heavily built and stood the test of time.
have you read that link below?
https://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/...pass-28?page=1
Cheers

[banjoship]

She looks very much like a Swanson 28, however the photos suggest an early one-off.

The interior shots show timber construction, the exterior glass - the hull is sheathed timber, maybe? Deck is unclear, possibly glass over ply? Coach house looks glass enclosed ply.

Once in production, S28's in australia were solid glass hull, variety of decks, glass enclosed ply coach house. there are usually a few for sale in Australia at anytime. You may like to compare yours with those.

It is possible yours is an early prototype. The Swanson brothers usually built several timber versions of their designs, before settling on a final design, which was then used as a plug for glass production. Another possibility is someone got hold of the offsets from Swansons, and built a timber version

The s28 is part of the Swanson family of heavyweight, modified full hull, canoe stern cruisers. Other members of the family are s32, s38, s40 and s42. I have a S42. These boats are noted for seaworthiness, comfort and load carrying capacity. With all that weight and wetted area they are slow. I have sailed on s32, 38 and 42. The 38 and 42 are a handful in tight marinas. The s32 is surprisingly nimble, not sure about the s28.


Hope this helps,

Lee

[Fore and Aft]

I wondered that as well after I put my post up Lee. My first thought was Carronade design when I spotted the photographs? Maybe she was the plug for the mould of the Swanson 28?
Cheers

[waynemonastra]

Thank you all for the response so far....Fore and Aft i had a look at the link you posted and its interesting to note my current live aboard is an Easterly 30 made by Compass yachts here in Auckland NZ. The previous owner did 2 return trips to Fiji in her, and shes a very strong solid yacht....I found it interesting that you compared the two yachts.....Now i go and question myself yet again... ( Sigh )

[Fore and Aft]

I hope you are getting her for a good price? Have you thought about buying a Swanson here in Oz and sailing her back home? There is a nice 1984 Swanson 28 with fiberglass hull and near new motor for $20,000 on boatsales.

The more I look at your pictures the more I feel it is the Carronade design? Still a Swanson yacht, but famous for sailing around Cape Horn.
Its hopeless comparing boats they all have good and bad points
Cheers

[waynemonastra]

Im getting her for an epic price...and on top of that the owner is in the process of upgrading the mainsail, and adding solar to her....He knows i got shafted (long story) on the boat the last time she was for sale, and was honest to me when he said he only wants her for one last summer (due to his age) and has offered first option to buy to me....he also knows where i intend to sail her...and seems to be doing work on her for my future trip..yet only going to charge me the same price he got for her....So yes if i end up buying her...she would be an epic price

[JPA Cate]

Hello, Wayne,

We have another member, GILow, who is a member of a Swanson forum. Maybe he'll come along here, and post for you.

Ann

[waynemonastra]

HI Ann....I hope so, a few people have suggested it so im looking forward to hearing from him/her

[GILow]

Don’t ask me. I’m horribly and blindly biased!

I started reading your post and said to myself “Oh crap, I hope Banjo chimes in soon, because he knows waaaay more than me about Swannies and taught me the tiny bit I know”.

And he has! Yay!

Hi Banjo!

Other than that, trying to stay objective here...

Nah, failed badly. That’s a bloody beautiful looking boat! Buy it. Sail it. Love it.

[GILow]

Oh, I had to shut down my attempt at a Swanson forum.

1. Life got in the way.
2. All the Swanson owners were off in exotic places on their Swansons and didn’t have the time or inclination to talk boat crap on a forum.

Hmmmm. That’s uncomfortable.

[waynemonastra]

HI GIlow..... i hear you know all about these boats lol....am i able to pick your brains about them....either here or email? id love to learn more from you..

[sapient sue]

Waynemostra

We sailed a Swanson 28 when we first sailed in Australia. It was a terrific sea worthy boat and surprised most club members with her performance. I wish you well with your purchase and future adventures.

Cheers Sapient Sue

[waynemonastra]

Hi Sue....how did you find her in heavy seas? I am planning a few offshore trips in the future and i know that rough weather will feature quite heavily in my trips so how did you find your boat....what was the longest trip you did....did you find she had enough room for stores and the like? I know ill have to be creative but any advice is always good

[GILow]

Originally Posted by waynemonastra

HI GIlow..... i hear you know all about these boats lol....am i able to pick your brains about them....either here or email? id love to learn more from you..

PM me, but honestly, I’ll just refer your difficult questions to Banjo.