Headroom and other info

[fredandlou]

Hi everyone, we're Fred and Lou and we're new to the forum, we currently live aboard a 39 foot traditional, heavy displacement sailing boat but we're thinking of changing boats. We're getting a little older and the trials of pulling very heavy warps while sitting in the cold and wet are beginning to lose their appeal and the thought of something smaller, easier to handle and with the option to escape the weather is extremely appealing. The LM range seems to satisfy our desires but we thought the best place for advice would be this forum, so could anyone help us with the following questions... particularly with regard to the 27, 28 and 30 and 32.
1. Are they reasonably easy to manage?
2. How suitable are they for passage making? We took our current boat across Biscay twice and we'd like to be able to do that again.
3. And finally, and very importantly, how big are the different models inside, in particular headroom. Lou can fit almost anywhere but I'm 6'1" and seeing as we'll be spending a lot of time aboard it would be good to be able to stand up straight in some places. In particular what is the headroom...a,. In front of the galley?...b, in the tallest part of the saloon?

We've tried trawling old adverts for any info however yacht brokers, and even the LM brochures on this site simply say 'full standing headroom' which is really not that useful as a measurement.

Hoping someone can help us with info about the different models and maybe save us some long wasted journeys.

Thanking you all in advance.
Fred and Lou

[bobevans]

As you've had no response so far, I'll add my comments based on my short ownership of an LM27. I've yet to sail her as she is being launched this week after a total refit - new engine, electric, plumbing, etc. - so I can't comment on the sailing performance. Like you, I have downsized from a bigger boat, a 36ft Westerly Corsair in which I've sailed the North Sea, Channel, Biscay and the Med as far as Turkey, and like you, I've downsized to a motor sailor because I want to keep warm and dry. I'm 75 years old and now sail singlehanded.

in response to your questions:

1. I expect the LM27 to be easily managed by someone like me, although I also expect the reversing to be unpredictable. I am bringing all reefing lines back to the cockpit and I have a remote control for the auto helm.

2. Only you can make a judgement on this. I've been in some really rough weather offshore in my Corsair and I wouldn't like to be in that situation with the LM27 -the cockpit is too big and the self draining is a bit iffy. However, I'm sure that others have managed in similar circumstances but I wouldn't take this boat across Biscay. I'd go through the canals - the LM27 would be great in the Canal du Midi.

3. Good headroom in the wheel house and I can just about stand up in the saloon - I'm 5'10''(and shrinking fast.)

Bear in mind that the above only applies to the LM27 the larger boats are obviously more capable.

Bob

[ganzanders]

My LM 32 generously offers 1,95 m or 6‘5“ headroom in the saloon. I didn‘t measure headroom in the wheelhouse but it‘s more than sufficient.
Regards,
Andreas

[fredandlou]

Thanks very much for this info,  we have plenty to think about. 

[pete]

To dot the I's etc, my LM 30 has 6' 3'' in the wheelhouse and 6' 2'' in the saloon.
I've only had it 18 months so can't comment on long passages, we've only been coastal.
One thing I would say, we downsized from a Moody 376 and find the LM 'snug'!
Hope that helps
Cheers,

Pete.

[jdp]

I bought my LM30 in 2021 it has bilge keels , in mast reefing, bow thruster and power windlass and I’m 77 and can manage her single handed but haven’t done anything as challenging as Biscay but two of us brought her back to the Medway from Plymouth over last summer.
This winter I have only done local day sails alone and with friends who don’t have wheelhouse yachts and they loved the fact that we can sail in the warm (a diesel heater see’s to that.)
Everything is a compromise but If you want a robust motor sailer you won’t go far wrong with an LM