I've got a '77 and '78 Mirage 26 on my shortlist. I'm inspecting the '77 on Saturday afternoon and kinda hoping to pick your collective brains. Is the keel lead or steel? Is the rudder foam or wood core? Is the hull solid or wood core? I've got Don Casey's "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" for generalities but would like to know if there's anything model specific I should watch out for. These boats are 30 years old now so I'm hoping problem areas would be generally well known. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of info on the web about them. I think these came with the OMC saildrive but they now have outboards. Thanks for any hints, tips or information you can supply. Brian Scott
Mirage 26 inspection questions
- Thread starter Brian Scott
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not too common a boat
Brian I don't believe these are very common and therefore your questions are not likely to elicit many responses as most folks will probably be unfamilar with Mirage. I think Sailnet might have a Mirage owners group if you want to try there.
Brian I don't believe these are very common and therefore your questions are not likely to elicit many responses as most folks will probably be unfamilar with Mirage. I think Sailnet might have a Mirage owners group if you want to try there.
Mirage owner
I own a Mirage 27, 1981 hull # 365. It is the Perry designed version that is very similar to the 26. I have owned the boat for a few years and did a major restoration. There is a very active Mirage/Kirby yahoo group. The hull is not cored, it is solid glass. The deck is cored with plywood. There is a fiberglass interior liner. The keel is lead. On the 27, the rudder is fiberglass. I'm not sure about the 26. The boat sails very well. It is a fun weekender, and for a couple could be cruised for longer. It is a coastal type vessel. I wouldn't cross an ocean in her. The v berth is short for a 6 footer, but the port settee birth pulls out and makes a comfortable birth. The boat has a hanging locker and good storage below the births but lacks drawers. The 27 is powered by an inboard diesel or a gas saildrive. I'm not sure if the 26 had those options or was designed for an outboard. Things to look for: -Mast compression post (mine had rot at the base) -thru hulls (I had to add seacocks) -Changed all hoses and thru hulls -Check for delamination of the cored deck
I own a Mirage 27, 1981 hull # 365. It is the Perry designed version that is very similar to the 26. I have owned the boat for a few years and did a major restoration. There is a very active Mirage/Kirby yahoo group. The hull is not cored, it is solid glass. The deck is cored with plywood. There is a fiberglass interior liner. The keel is lead. On the 27, the rudder is fiberglass. I'm not sure about the 26. The boat sails very well. It is a fun weekender, and for a couple could be cruised for longer. It is a coastal type vessel. I wouldn't cross an ocean in her. The v berth is short for a 6 footer, but the port settee birth pulls out and makes a comfortable birth. The boat has a hanging locker and good storage below the births but lacks drawers. The 27 is powered by an inboard diesel or a gas saildrive. I'm not sure if the 26 had those options or was designed for an outboard. Things to look for: -Mast compression post (mine had rot at the base) -thru hulls (I had to add seacocks) -Changed all hoses and thru hulls -Check for delamination of the cored deck
Mirage 26
jimq26: I'd like to look it over first. Maybe it's not worth the expense of a surveyor. Don: Thought it was a long shot. I'll check Sailnet. Gary: I really like the 27 but the only one nearby in my price range has a moisture problem in the deck and rudder. I've been avoiding any with the saildrive because of parts availability and cost of repowering. Do you have the saildrive? I joined the yahoo group. Thanks all.
jimq26: I'd like to look it over first. Maybe it's not worth the expense of a surveyor. Don: Thought it was a long shot. I'll check Sailnet. Gary: I really like the 27 but the only one nearby in my price range has a moisture problem in the deck and rudder. I've been avoiding any with the saildrive because of parts availability and cost of repowering. Do you have the saildrive? I joined the yahoo group. Thanks all.
Good point Brian - do the survey when ready.
Some people (including the local PHRF-LO) confuse the Kirby Mirage built in Canada with the Mirage boats built in Florida. The name Mirage is the only thing common - two totally separate companies and products. Do you have this link?
Some people (including the local PHRF-LO) confuse the Kirby Mirage built in Canada with the Mirage boats built in Florida. The name Mirage is the only thing common - two totally separate companies and products. Do you have this link?
Check the Cal 227
Brian, Before you buy a Mirage you should check out the Cal 227. This is a really good boat. I had one on the Chesapeak for 18 years and won the high point championship for non spinniker in 1995. It is a very forgiving boat that will sail to its rating, 213 on the Chesapeak. check the Cal website for more detailed info.
Brian, Before you buy a Mirage you should check out the Cal 227. This is a really good boat. I had one on the Chesapeak for 18 years and won the high point championship for non spinniker in 1995. It is a very forgiving boat that will sail to its rating, 213 on the Chesapeak. check the Cal website for more detailed info.
Mirage 27
I have an inboard yanmar diesel. I am impressed with the overall construction of the Mirage. It was built in Canada. They have an excellent reputation for PHRF.
I have an inboard yanmar diesel. I am impressed with the overall construction of the Mirage. It was built in Canada. They have an excellent reputation for PHRF.
Pass on the outboard.....
if you are going to sail on Lake Ontario (Niagara???). While there are lots of boats in that size with OBs you will never be 100% happy, or safe, in larger waves with the OB. Also, I wouldn't touch a 30 year old saildrive, especially the OMC ones, since obtaining spare parts seems to be a problem. I don't know what your budget is but have you looked at the CS 27 (disclosure...I own one). There are lots around Lake Ontario and prices run from about $15K to $24K CDN. They are the same age as Mirages so some are showing their age.
if you are going to sail on Lake Ontario (Niagara???). While there are lots of boats in that size with OBs you will never be 100% happy, or safe, in larger waves with the OB. Also, I wouldn't touch a 30 year old saildrive, especially the OMC ones, since obtaining spare parts seems to be a problem. I don't know what your budget is but have you looked at the CS 27 (disclosure...I own one). There are lots around Lake Ontario and prices run from about $15K to $24K CDN. They are the same age as Mirages so some are showing their age.
Mirage 26/27 vs Hunter 28.5
If you are not locked into a specific boat, have you considered a deep draft Hunter 28.5? I believe they were manufactured from 1985 thru 1988, have inboard Yanmar diesel engines, 7,000lbs displacement, mast head B&R rig; have a PHRF of 174-182 (on the Chesapeake) and are typically available from $15,000. It can be a PHRF killer in racing trim; faster than the Mirages, Catalinas, Sabers and Cal's of similar size.
If you are not locked into a specific boat, have you considered a deep draft Hunter 28.5? I believe they were manufactured from 1985 thru 1988, have inboard Yanmar diesel engines, 7,000lbs displacement, mast head B&R rig; have a PHRF of 174-182 (on the Chesapeake) and are typically available from $15,000. It can be a PHRF killer in racing trim; faster than the Mirages, Catalinas, Sabers and Cal's of similar size.
Loved my Mirage 26
I owned a '77 Mirage 26 (the Quebec-made boat designed by Robert Perry)up until last year. I loved the boat: very roomy, very solidly built, good sailer, and fun for weekend cruising. I scraped 7 coats of bad anti-fouling off her with a hook scraper over the course of a week (that seemed like a month) and the hull was absolutely baby-smooth gelcoat with no blisters. I redid the wiring, head, etc, but she was relatively maintenance-free. I also replaced the stuffing box with a nice dripless. I had two small voids in the deck laminate, but never bothered to fill them. The rudder was taking on water and blistering: there's a guy that sells Mirage 26/27 rudders online if you Google it. Mine had an ancient Yanmar diesel, but it continued to put along just fine. I wasn't using the boat much last summer and a buyer came along. Now I'm kicking myself because the boat is so much better quality than a lot of the crap out there.
I owned a '77 Mirage 26 (the Quebec-made boat designed by Robert Perry)up until last year. I loved the boat: very roomy, very solidly built, good sailer, and fun for weekend cruising. I scraped 7 coats of bad anti-fouling off her with a hook scraper over the course of a week (that seemed like a month) and the hull was absolutely baby-smooth gelcoat with no blisters. I redid the wiring, head, etc, but she was relatively maintenance-free. I also replaced the stuffing box with a nice dripless. I had two small voids in the deck laminate, but never bothered to fill them. The rudder was taking on water and blistering: there's a guy that sells Mirage 26/27 rudders online if you Google it. Mine had an ancient Yanmar diesel, but it continued to put along just fine. I wasn't using the boat much last summer and a buyer came along. Now I'm kicking myself because the boat is so much better quality than a lot of the crap out there.
Bought it
You guys have been mentioning some of my favourite boats but they're out of my price range. Maybe in a couple of years. It's nice to know that I've got good taste. I won't be as happy with the OB as I would with a diesel but it's what I've got. And it's easier to repair than the OMC saildrive. She surveyed well, came with lots of sails including a spinnaker and DRS and has all lines led aft. And a rebuilt rudder. I'm hoping she'll be a good first boat. Photos at link.
You guys have been mentioning some of my favourite boats but they're out of my price range. Maybe in a couple of years. It's nice to know that I've got good taste. I won't be as happy with the OB as I would with a diesel but it's what I've got. And it's easier to repair than the OMC saildrive. She surveyed well, came with lots of sails including a spinnaker and DRS and has all lines led aft. And a rebuilt rudder. I'm hoping she'll be a good first boat. Photos at link.
Try again
Link didn't show. Might have to cut and paste. Sorry. http://home.cogeco.ca/~scott3013/Mirage26.html
Link didn't show. Might have to cut and paste. Sorry. http://home.cogeco.ca/~scott3013/Mirage26.html
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