LM28 Purchase

[John Pompei]

I am close to purchasing a 1985 LM28 bilge keel model.

I believe it is a good example of the model and the survey will no doubt find any problems which I can't see from my inspection visits.
Where I would like your help is to the models suitability for my type of usage.

I will be sailing from the Medway on the East Coast the majority of my cruises will be local and not extended cruising. I am in my 70's quite fit and reasonably agile and often sail singlehanded. My present boat is a MacGregor 26M which I have had for 4 years and whilst it is quite fun especially for the Grandkids, I found last season that it was becoming a bit lively for me singlehanded in gusty F4/5 's

I appreciate the LM is quite a different boat and my main concern is if I will be able to handle it alone especially when docking in our marina which is entered via a lock.

I would also appreciate any guidance regarding the ease and timing of reefing the main.

Any guidance you can give will be much appreciated and I look forward to joining your association if and when I become an owner

Many thanks in advance.

[johnc]

Hello John, sorry you have not had any replies but I will try and help as I purchased an LM28 two years ago. Thank said, I have had hardly any use out of mine as 2019 was spent cleaning and making good al, the woodwork in the wheelhouse and the cockpit as well as general updating part of the boat. 2020 was dreadful as only got the boat launched late August then the weather changed and by end September we were heading back into lockdown so the boat was left afloat in the hands of the marina. We did manage one short trip to test the engine which is a 10 year old 36HP Bukh which went very well. I even managed to reverse back into my pontoon berth. As for 2021, we could not get down to our boat until mid April. My son and I (I am 76) took the boat from Troon Marina up to largs Marina for the rest of this season. Both my son and I were impressed how solid the boat felt. Again docking the boat (bow first this time) was relatively easy especially with the pilot house hatch open. I do have a slight concern about single handed docking and that is the time it takes to get down from the helmsman seat, through the wheelhouse into the cockpit and up onto the deck. Perhaps duel engine controls to the cockpit and using the tiller might be a thought. Other that that, I felt the boat handled well under power, the 36 HP Bukh gives good response to fwd and rev and by using full helm to port and stboard , give a good kick at bringing the bow round. As yet we have not had those big white things up yet but all lines are brought back to the cockpit so I am thinking she will be good for single handed work.

[jdp]

Hi Jonnc
Many thanks for your helpful reply.
The 28 never happened but a 30 is now at the survey stage so keeping fingers crossed this one happens.
There is one slight snag the boat is in Devon and I sail from The Medway. I’ve thought bringing round with a delivery skipper but my current plan is to harbour hop throughout the summer and bring it back in easy stages.
Any comments from other owners on the LM 30 would be appreciated
Regards