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Message board > Miscellaneous topics > Hardy 27 maybe?

Message 8 of 8
Posted by member jerry lambert on Sunday 11 September 2016

Excellent Peter, all useful insights, thank you!

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Message 7 of 8
Posted by member Peter Cox on Sunday 11 September 2016

Jerry A couple of postscripts, based on my 27: There are seacocks hidden away, two in the lazarette for the cockpit drains, one in the heads compartment, behind a circular hatch, for the basin, one in the port wardrobe for the heads out and one in the saloon floor for heads in. Check if they have full and free movement, as some owners don't even know they are there. I can't remember if there is also one for the galley sink. Fire extinguishers: my 27 had two now-illegal Halon extinguishers in the engine compartment ,and due to poor access/lack of inspection, one had leaked away to empty some time before I bought the boat. In any event it is incorrect to have two extinguishers with their combined capacity adequate for the engine compartment volume; there must be one extinguisher adequate for the volume. If there are two smaller ones, a fire will set one off first but it might not be big enough to extinguish the fire, then the other one will go off but again not be big enough. I fitted a single automatic large Halon-replacement one. I also fitted an automatic ordinary powder one in the lazarette, as there is the mains immersion heater, potable water pump, autopilot steering ram etc in there. As I said before, none of these should put you off a 27; just things worth checking.

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Message 6 of 8
Posted by member Peter Cox on Monday 5 September 2016

To add a bit of possible pub quiz trivia, I was told by 27 guru Steve Pickthall (now deceased, far too soon), who owned the last 27 to be built, that actor Robbie Coltrane once owned a 27. Does anybody know which 27 Robbie Coltrane owned, probably under his real name Anthony Robert McMillan?

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Message 5 of 8
Posted by member jerry lambert on Sunday 4 September 2016

Hello all... thanks for the extensive and informative reply Peter, most useful - and thanks HOC Ed for posting it on! Funnily enough, I had thought of a 32 at first, but then I realised I would have to sell the house first. The Missus - a.k.a. the Domestic Authority - couldn't see the logic, for some reason. So I have had to scale back a bit; now I just have to sell the Missus instead. (I hope she doesn't read this, or I will be sunk without trace!) When and if we get one, it will probably be our first and last boat, barring a lottery win; so I'm trying to do as much digging and researching as possible in an attempt to avoid buying an old bathtub with rusty wheels. Boats do have wheels, don't they? Jerry.

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Message 4 of 8
Posted by member jerry lambert on Saturday 3 September 2016

Hi Robert, and thanks for the heads-up on the 27 for sale. I'm sure these forums will be a mine of useful information, and who knows, if I come up with a suitable boat at the right price I might be meeting some of you at Hardy gatherings! I've been reading around on Hardys generally, it amazes me how adventurous people seem to have been in the smaller boats... Does anyone have experiences to share regarding the Volvo / Perkins 4-cylinder diesels? Cheers! Jerry

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Message 3 of 8
Posted by member Peter Cox on Friday 2 September 2016

Jerry I had a 27 before moving on to a 32; the 27 is a great boat. I think about 23 were made; I had I think the last-but-one and a friend had the last, 1998 build. Numbers on sale vary wildly; at one time about six were on the market at once, at other times none. Engine configurations seemed to be any permutation of Yanmar/Volvo, shaft/outdrive, single/twin, with varying horsepower. Full displacement, despite what the sales blurbs might say; on mine cruise about 7 kts, max about 11 kts, but the fuel consumption goes up dramatically at higher speeds (at least I thought so until I bought the 32!). I had the twin shaft 2x100hp Yanmar version, which is perhaps the best configuration for coastal/tidal waters. All had twin V-berths forward that could extend into a big double, most had an option to extend the starboard wheelhouse seat into a single, and those with outdrive engines aft could have a tunnel berth midships below the wheelhouse. Mine had a navigator's seat with a small chart table/locker in front of that, above the fridge, so no wheelhouse bunk (although I made one up myself). All had a good heads compartment, with basin, shower and sea heads, some with a holding tank (mine was fitted in the void below the dining table). I think all have a fridge, H&C pressurized water and cooker (two rings, grill and oven). Loads of locker/storage space, including below the forward bunk seats. Things to look for: Check batteries, they often are overlooked during engine services as they aren't deemed part of the engines by most firms. Engine access for the twin Yanmars isn't the best but not impossible for servicing, so ensure that no corners have been cut on filter changes, belts etc. Guardrail wires if plastic sheathed tend to corrode and fail (possibly when most needed) where the sheathing ends, at least remove the sheathing. The hull blue stripe can get very chalky if not regularly polished/waxed and is difficult to restore if neglected. If too far gone, consider vinyl wrapping the blue bit. Heater is difficult to access for servicing, so can be neglected, but is very good when working. Red and green nav lights are easily knocked by people walking past, so check for watertightness. Yanmars: injector bleed-off pipes can leak and need replacing (from a motor factors rather than Yanmar) Other than the above, check the normal pre-purchase survey things. In spite of the above points, the good points definitely outweigh the not-so-good!

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Message 2 of 8
Posted by member robert sneddon on Thursday 1 September 2016

Hi Jerry, don't know much about the 27 but John Baldry is selling a Sedan 27 on the site. Might be worth getting in contact for his opinions and who knows, he does have a 27 available. Good luck and welcome to the club. Kind regards, Robert.

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Message 1 of 8
Posted by member Jerry Lambert on Thursday 1 September 2016

Hi All.. I'm at the now-or-never stage of life, I have always wanted a Hardy. Well OK, I really want a 50ft Aquastar or something, with a million pound budget to suit; I have to fill the diesel tanks too you know. So, my wife and I are looking about to see what's available. I'm quite taken with the Hardy 27, not too big, not too small (maybe I should call her 'Goldilocks' when I get her). I have found the owner's manual (thanks whoever posted it!) but otherwise there seems to be a scarcity of general info on the 27. In fact that model hardly seems to be mentioned anywhere. Can anyone point me at anything at all which might be useful? Any information at all on what I should be looking out for in a 1990's 27? Any weak points / common failures? What were the variants? How many were made, and when? Many thanks! Jerry (new HOC member).

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