The mighty LM vs the classic Fisher 30

[dingusdingo]

I am sure we are all aware of the fisher 30 and a lot of other motor sailers out there, but how do they really stack up? Has anyone sailed or sailed against a fisher 30? One popped up for sale a little further north (at an extremely good price) and it got me to think what could have been... No problems with my LM27 except for usual maintenance and wear after 40 years, but its always fun to talk about boats

What I like about the fisher is the ketch rig, classic lines (like the LM) and good looking wheelhouse. The extra 3 foot and space is also easy to lust after, but Im sure you all with the 32 arent so interested in that...

[dingusdingo]

[Sula]

I very much like the look of the Fishers, and dreamed of owning one long before I became aware of LMs. I've never sailed one, but have gained the impression from scouring magazine articles, reviews and comments on online forums over the years that their sailing ability is rather modest, and probably no match from an LM27, which seems generally regarded as being a surprisingly good and fast sailing boat compared to most 'motor-sailors'.

There was, for example, an article in PBO (IIRC) some years ago, providing professional advice on improving his rig because his Fisher (I can't remember which model now) wouldn't tack without running the engine to push its bow through the wind. After some tweaking of the sail and standing rigging by the professional, the situation was improved but still marginal. I seem to recall reading elsewhere that the sloop rig was more effective than the ketch on the models which had those options. I have a vague idea the largest versions (37 feet?) are considered to have better sailing ability and layouts than the smallest (25 feet?).

As I say, I've never sailed them myself, so I may be doing them a disservice, but rightly or wrongly my original enthusiasm for them waned in the face of the stories and comments I heard. They do look the part, though!

[paulsailing]

I have sailed on the 25' on numerous occasions, not even close to sailing performance of myLM27. In a F6 off Salcombe I turned the engine off to sail and the owner rushed up to find out what was wrong! ... But as you say they look really good. 

[dingusdingo]

Jun 20, 2023 10:09:39 GMT paulsailing said:

I have sailed on the 25' on numerous occasions, not even close to sailing performance of myLM27. In a F6 off Salcombe I turned the engine off to sail and the owner rushed up to find out what was wrong! ... But as you say they look really good. 

Thanks for the feedback Paul was out on my lm27 today in some nice 10 knot wind (forecast as i dont have a wind gauge). Had the boat well balanced on really old sails cruising at about 4,5 knot!