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Have a look on your future vacations with an MG yacht or if you know how it seems, press the button!

The finest fully crewed luxury yachts in the market for a memorable client experience! A big variety of motor yachts, catamarans, motor sailers and sailing yachts with permanent crew.

Vacations beyond expecations!

Explore the Ionian islands starting from this charming small town!

Ταξίδεψε την Ελλάδα!

REALTIME AVAILABILITIES! BOOK ONLINE NOW!

Yacht Charter Greece With MG Yachts

Explore Greece with a Sailing Yacht , Catamaran or a Luxury Yach t both skippered or bareboat.

Greece is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans and is the crossroad of Europe, Asia and Africa. On the East of the Country lies the Aegean Sea, The Ionian Sea on the west and on the south is the Sea of Crete and the Mediterranean Sea making Greece the ideal destination for your boat rental.

Latest News from our Company and the yachting industry! 

Luxury Crewed Yachts

The finest luxury crewed yachts in the market for a memorable client experience!

Yacht Management, Charter Events and more addtional services!

I've been sailing in Greece for the last couple of years with many companies. This past summer I decided to book with MG Yachts. Excellent services and people! The boat ( Lagoon 450F ) was new and clean. We just booked again for June 2023!

Amazing company and amazing people. From the check in to check out only positive experience with mg. The boat we rented was very nice and the skipper as well. The Ionian islands were fantastic but next year we will do Cyclades. See you soon Mg team and Mary!

The service is excellent. They helped me all week in coordinating mooring places. Be available for any questions

We were very pleased with the attitude and service, professional and kind staff. We will soon come again to this amazing place in Lefkada.

For one more year we left on your hands the organization of our sailing vacations in Greece! For one more year everything was great! Ms. Mary and her team offered us for one more year a mindfree sailing vacations! The yacht, the services, the support...everything was perfect! 

See you again next year!!!

Yacht Charter Destinations in Greece

Yacht charters in greece - frequently asked questions.

WHY SHOULD I CHARTER A YACHT FROM MG YACHTS?

Here at MG Yachts we believe in taking care of our customer's needs and we take pride in the high quality services and yachts we provide. The fact that we have successfully been providing the best yachting experience for thousands of sailors for over 40 years is proof of that.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CHARTER A YACHT IN GREECE?

The cost of boat rental in Greece varies, depending on a number of factors. Factors like the age of the boat, the season you are travelling, the rental duration, the type and the model of the boat. You can get an idea from our online price list or send us and email for an exact quote.

WHICH ARE THE BEST DESTINATIONS FOR A YACHT CHARTER IN GREECE?

• Ionian Islands

The Ionian sailing season runs from April to October, with bright, sunny weather, light winds, and temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68 to 86F). Ionian Islands are ideal for Sailing novices, because they can gain confidence by taking advantage of summer afternoon northwesterly winds ranging from Force 2 to Force 5.

• Dodecanese Islands  

Because of its southerly location, the Dodecanese receives Greece's warmest weather. When compared to the Ionian Islands, you may expect some windy days, but you'll be on the border of the Meltemi winds, so when they blow, they'll be less powerful. Between July and September, the winds may reach Force 7, therefore the location is best suited to intermediate-level sailors or skippered boats.

• Cyclades Islands

The Cyclades Islands are Greece's most popular and windiest island group. During the summer, Cyclades Islands are a challenging sailing area cause of the 'meltemi', the northern wind that blows from early July to mid August, usually around 5 Beaufort, with gusts reaching up to 8.

•  Saronic Gulf

Because of the short distances required and the comparatively benign winds in compared to other sailing places in Greece, the Saronic Gulf is the ideal destination for shorter cruises from Athens. During July and August, the “meltemi” makes its presence felt, with wind speeds reaching force 5 or 6. Because the place is quite far south, you can expect a very warm summer, with temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees in peak season.

• Sporades Islands

In the spring and fall, when light winds of Force 3 to 5 blow steadily, the Sporades islands are an ideal destination for novice sailors. In the summer, winds can reach Force 7, making sailing more challenging.

SHOULD I CHARTER A YACHT BAREBOAT OR WITH A SKIPPER?

We provide experienced skippers who can provide you the best sailing experience. Doing so you can relax and enjoy your sailing vacations you without having to worry about handling the yacht or causing any damages. You simply let our skipper help you choose the perfect itinerary for you, show you hidden beaches, places to eat, shop and many more, making your private yacht chartering in Greece an amazing experience.

If you wish to hire a yacht "bareboat," without a skipper or crew, the captain is one of the sailors who bears complete responsibility for the vessel. Yacht chartering bareboat is less expensive since you do not have to pay for a skipper or crew.

SHOULD I CHARTER A CATAMARAN OR A MONOHULL TO SAIL IN GREECE?

Catamarans are more stable due to the twin hull, which offers a comfy and stable deck. They are larger and quicker than monohulls. Monohulls, on the other hand, look fantastic, are faster to respond and less costly than catamarans, and slice through water effortlessly. Both have advantages and disadvantages, so the decision is clearly up to you.

SHOULD I BRING FOOD AND PROVISIONS WITH ME?

There are supermarkets nearby all our bases so you can get anything you need before chartering. However, we can also do the shopping for you and arrange a delivery on the yacht before your charter so you can sail immediately without having to waste any time on shopping.

WHAT SUPPORT IS OFFERED DURING MY YACHT CHARTER?

Our experienced base managers are at your service 24/7 and you can call them directly on their phone for any technical problem or if something unexpected occurs on your charter. After that we have partners on all major stops along your trip who will be able to assist if something unexpected occurs.

HOW IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN GREECE?

Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate with summers that are usually hot and dry, and the winters that can be quite cold and rainy. The sailing season is long and runs from April to October, with bright, sunny days almost assured from May through September. July and August are the warmest and busiest months of the year, as well as when the Aegean's “meltemi” winds are at their strongest. Daytime temperatures range on average between the 70s F (low 20s C) in spring and fall to the 80s and 90s F (high 20s to 30C) in summer. In April and October, rain is probable.         

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Sailing Vacations in Greece

Have a look on your future vacations with a MG Yacht or if you know how it seems, press the button!

• Catamaran (5)
• Monohull (28)
• Alimos Marina (12)
• Lefkas Marina (1)
• Lefkas Marina D-marin (10)
• Lefkas Port (6)
• Paleros Marina (5)
• Number of Cabins

40 Years Of experience

Yacht Charters in Greece With MG Yachts

Explore Greece with a Sailing Yacht, Catamaran or a Luxury Yacht both skippered or bareboat. Greece is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans and is the crossroad of Europe, Asia and Africa.

COMPANY PROFILE

The company was originally founded in 1983, under the name of GM Yachting from Ms. Mary Gogossis, and was one of the first yacht charter broker agencies in Greece in yachting business. In 2001, as the need to expand the range of our services in the field of yachting arose, the company was reformed and assumed its final form and name of MG Yachts. Since then it has been our goal to offer our customers and partners high quality bareboat, skippered and fully crewed luxury yachts, tailor made customer and management services and yacht sales.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS THINK

4.7/5 Rated on Google

Amazing time with this sailing company. Fresh yachts and nice crew, helping us with check in and check out. I deffenitely recommed this company, join them and have a pleasure in Greece!

Beautiful ship, well maintained. The only thing missing is the VHF speaker in the cockpit. Nice people.

Kind staff, Nice boat, there were Some issue’s with the sail but everything was fixed And had a wonderfull trip

Very friendly stuff. Looking for solution even something happens. Boats in good condition. Even though our agreed boat was destroyed by previous people, we have received replacement even with small upgrade.

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The company was originally founded in 1984, under the name of GM Yachting from Ms. Mary Gogossis, and was one of the first yacht charter broker agencies in Greece in yachting business. In 2001, as the need to expand the range of our services in the field of yachting arose, the company was reformed and assumed its final form and name of MG Yachts. Since then it has been our goal to offer our customers and partners high quality bareboat, skippered and fully crewed luxury yachts, tailor made customer and management services and yacht sales.

Nowadays, it is a matter of necessity to improve our services and fleet, which already counts more than 25 new sailing yachts and catamarans, in addition to managing more than 100 premium quality yachts all over Greece. This fleet and our customers are served at our own office and at new branch offices that the company invests in, in key destinations around Greece (Athens, Lavrion, Lefkas, Paleros, Corfu, Kos, Rhodes, Volos, Skiathos, Mykonos, and Paros).

Our company is a family business which continue her operations from the next generation. Each individual member of the MG Yachts family is selectively chosen with utmost attention to every detail, for their professionalism, their friendliness and their passion to provide exceptional services. With this strong background and wealth of experience, we are proud of the reputation we have gained these 40 years, as a leading yacht charter company in Greece, the large network of charter partners and the thousands of satisfied customers all over the world. We are excited and passionate to complete our goals and intensify our efforts to expand our services with new and innovative ideas in the yachting business.

Contact MG Yachts

Tel: 210 9819 564

E-mail: [email protected]

Address: Posidonos Av. & 2 Makariou str. Kalamaki, Attica Greece, 17455

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• VARIOUS YACHTS
• LUXURY CREWED YACHT CHARTERS
• GENERAL INFO
• DOCUMENTS FOR CHARTERS
• INVENTORY LIST
• TERMS AND CONDITION
• YACHT MANAGEMENT
• CHARTER AND CORPORATE EVENTS
• PROVISIONING LIST
• MOTOR YACHTS
• SAILING YACHTS
• MOTOR SAILERS
• RIBS & MOTORBOATS
• DAILY CRUISES
• LUXURY VILLAS & HOUSE RENTALS
• SPECIAL OFFERS
• MG INVESTMENT
• MG WORKING TOGETHER
• ALREADY AN OWNER
• SECOND HAND YACHTS
• SURVEYOR SERVICES
• ITINERARIES
• CONTACT INFO

FIND YOUR YACHT

Various yachts, dufour 560 gl, dufour 520 gl, dufour 460 gl, dufour 390 gl, general conditions 2024.

A PERIOD: 27/07 - 17/08/2024

B PERIOD: 15/06 - 27/07/24 & 17/08 - 07/09/2024

C PERIOD: 18/05 - 15/06/24 & 07/09 - 28/09/2024

D PERIOD: 20/04 - 18/05/24 & 28/09 - 05/10/2024

E PERIOD: before 20/04/24 & after 05/10/2024

5 days: 80% of the weekly rate 4 days: 65% of the weekly rate 3 days or less 55% of the weekly rate

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT: 10% (valid till 31/01/2024)

REPEATING MG YACHTS CLIENTS: 5%

SECOND WEEK OF CHARTER: 5%

THIRD WEEK OF CHARTER: 10%

FOURTH WEEK OF CHARTER: 15%

BOAT SHOWS: 5%

GROUP DISCOUNT: 5%

TOTAL MAXIMUM DISCOUNT: 15%

Embarkation is at 17:00 Disembarkation is at 09:00

MANDATORY : The yacht must return to the base the evening before disembarkation by 18:00 the latest.

The security deposit will be arranged before embarkation at the base. Payment can be by credit card, we accept Visa and MasterCard. Alternatively, an amount can be paid in cash after agreement with MG Yachts on spot . . The Security or the Non-Refundable Deposit applies per accident (damage or loss). This means that should an incident occur, in order to be covered against a 2nd incident, the Charterer must leave a new security or Non-Refundable deposit equal to the initial amount. In any other case, the charter agreement will be terminated.

*Security deposit cost will be at half price on all skippered charters

In case of complaints, MG Yachts must receive written notice within 24-hours of the incident and not after the end of the charter. Complaints received after the charter period has concluded may not be taken into consideration.

Athens (Main Office) Lefkas (Branch Office) Corfu (Branch Office) Paleros (New Branch Office) Lavrion Kos Rhodes Paros Mykonos Skiathos Volos

End cleaning, 1x Cooking gas, Water, Linen 1 set (2 sheets, 1 pillow case, 1 bath towel) per person, Harbor fees for the first & last night.

• Extra Linen pack, if required
• If there is pet on board, then double starter pack will be applied

*** Α bag with Greek Local Products is offered to all of our charters as a welcome gift.

- Welcome Pack Toilet and Kitchen rolls, matches, Plastic bags for rubbish, 1 Dish Sponge, 1 Dish Soap, Sugar, Salt and Pepper, Coffee, 6 bottles of Water, 1 bottle of wine, 6 cans of Coke, 6 cans of Beer, Milk, Orange Juice

- Early Access

Access to the yacht by 14:00 In the event of delay beyond our control refunds will be made.

- Internet on Board Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 5 devices and UNLIMITED usage of internet

- Linen Pack 1 extra set includes (2 sheets, 1 pillow case, and 1 bath towel)

Current VAT rate in Greece is 24%. Should the relevant VAT rate change by law prior to beginning of charter, the charter price will be modified accordingly.

- Skipper: 190 € / day + *meals (crew require their own cabin)

- Hostess: 170 € / day (or 190€ / day for more than 10 pax) + *meals (crew require their own cabin)

• Crew Meals are not included in the price and should be covered by the charterer.
• Down payment is required and 25% charge applicable if crew is cancelled less than 4 weeks before embarkation. 100% charge applicable If crew is cancelled less than 14 days prior to embarkation

- Safety Net

- Generator Fair Use Policy: Free of Charge 8 hours per day. Additional consumption upon extra charge - Outboard Engine

- Electric Outboard Engine (3 hp) - Crew Change

- Junior Life Jackets (for children under 25 kg) - Automatic Life Jacket

- SUP/KAYAK - SEA-DOO seascooter

- Snorkeling Equipment - Transfer by taxi or minivan (costs vary depending on the base)

   - NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT • For catamarans up to 41ft.: 400 € plus an additional refundable deposit of 700 € • For catamarans from 42ft.to 44ft.: 500 € plus an additional refundable deposit of 800 € • For catamarans from 45ft. and above: 600 € plus an additional refundable deposit of 1.000 € • For sailing yachts up to 42 ft.: 300 € plus an additional refundable deposit of 500 € • For sailing yachts above 43 ft. to 49 ft.: 350 € plus an additional refundable deposit of 600 € • For sailing yachts from 50 ft. and above: 400 € plus an additional refundable deposit of 700 €

• Non-Refundable Deposit is payable by cash on the spot at our base.
• MG Yachts reserves the right not to accept the non-refundable deposit.

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   - CHARTER INSURANCE OPTIONS THROUGH PARTNERS

We extend to you the opportunity to safeguard your deposit by means of a non-refundable security deposit amount, facilitated through our collaboration with Yachtpool International, Pantaenius Group or EIS , our trusted Insurance Partners.

• Charter Deposit Insurance by Yacht-Pool International
• Yacht Third Party Liability Insurance by Pantaenius Group
• Deposit Insurance for Chartered Yachts by EIS

• 40% of the total charter rate upon booking reservation. • Balance payment (60% of the total charter rate) 30 days prior embarkation.

• Bookings cancelled up to 31/12/2023, full refund of the total charter fee and no administration fees will be applied. • Bookings cancelled up to 91 days prior to embarkation, full refund of the total charter fee and only 200 € administration fees will be applied. • Bookings cancelled between 90 & 61 days prior to embarkation, 30% of the total charter fee. • Bookings cancelled between 60 & 31 days prior to embarkation, 50% of the total charter fee. • Bookings cancelled less than 30 days prior to embarkation, 100% of total charter fee.

• In the case that the yacht is chartered again, under the same conditions, then full refund of the received amount is applicable and only 200 € administration fees will be charged.

The present pricelist issued the 10th of October 2023, replaces any previous Pricelist and is applied under company’s chartering conditions, published by MG Yachts in separate statement. All prices and conditions subject to change without prior notice.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

MG 335: Second-hand secret weapon

• David Harding
• August 3, 2022

One of the most versatile cruiser/racers of the 1980s, the MG 335 is still an excellent buy as a fast, roomy and well-mannered cruiser with plenty of racing potential

Boats more than 35 years old can still look good if they’re as well maintained as Heartbeat has been. Credit: David Harding

Product Overview

There’s no shortage of sporty cruisers around 33ft/10m from the 1980s or 1990s that you can pick up now for less than £30,000.

Time was, in fact, when ‘a grand a foot’ was the yardstick for a new boat of this size (remember when the Sigma 33 was well under that at £20,000?), but those days are becoming distant memories for most of us.

Despite the fact that these boats are now 30 or 40 years old, some are still very good indeed.

Just think of the Sigma, the Sadler 34, the First 32s5, Westerly ’s Storm 33 and the Moody 336 for starters.

Going back a little further, we find a whole host of boats that had lives as competitive half tonners or three-quarter tonners in the days of the International Offshore Rule (IOR): Stephen Jones’s Hustlers, Verls and Oysters, the Everitt-designed Eliminator 32, Rob Humphreys’ Mistral 31 and an assortment of Beneteau s, for example.

The MG’s cockpit is fine for cruising and short-handed racing, but space is tight for a full racing crew. Credit: David Harding

The builders of these and others made the most of their successes on the race course.

Some were also keen to point out that, especially when fitted with smaller rigs and shallower keels – as such boats often were in production form – they made excellent fast cruisers.

For all the choice that’s out there, however, it hasn’t always been easy to find the right all-rounder at the right price.

So it’s significant that, for a surprisingly large number of people I have known or sailed with, one boat in particular has stood out as fitting the bill: the MG 335.

The 335 later became the 346 following some modifications and upgrades, but is fundamentally the same boat.

The MG 335: the boat to beat

My first encounter with the MG was back in 1998, when I tested a Poole-based example called Heartbeat .

For more than 10 years Poole had been a hotbed of 335 activity.

Two of the small number of MG 346s also made their homes in Poole, where one is still based today.

After a career in the Royal Navy and then with Raymarine, Steve Pearce has a lifetime of boating experience. He owned a Wanderer dinghy before buying his first cruiser, the MG 335, 22 years ago. Credit: David Harding

In the late 1980s and early 1990s it was not uncommon to see up to five 335s racing in the harbour or bay.

All belonged to highly competent owners – some of whom went on to achieve notable results in high-profile events – including Jim Macgregor with his Southerly 42 RST .

Andrew Pearce, whose Magnum 4 was one of the top Fast 40s on the ultra-competitive circuit for a number of years, also raced an MG 335 in Poole back in the day.

The 346 on which I’m currently racing has won its class and group in Cowes Week and recorded a fair few successes elsewhere too.

By all accounts this is a boat that inspires people to get the best from it.

A swan-neck for the electrics running down the mast has replaced the original leaky deck gland. Credit: David Harding

Some boats have that effect, while others almost make you want to jump overboard and swim away from them. I’ve tested a few like that.

I started racing an MG 335 when some friends bought one in 2002.

They had looked at a good many options as a move up from a Sigma 292. In the end, the MG 335 was the only boat to buy: it was a simple choice.

It was an equally simple choice for Steve Pearce when he was looking to buy his first cruiser in 2000.

Steve had been sailing a Wanderer dinghy with his wife, Karen, though he was in the Royal Navy at the time and an experienced cruising sailor.

Mounted on the bridgedeck, the mainsheet traveller is well forward of the wheel and can be a challenge to replace because of access from beneath. Credit: David Harding

The decision to start looking for their own boat was followed by a good deal of statistical analysis that soon brought the list down to two: the MG and the Beneteau First 32s5.

At that point Steve spoke to someone who was ‘around boats quite a lot’ and asked, ‘which one?’ Her reply was simple: ‘There is no choice. Buy the MG 335.’

That decision made, it was a matter of finding the right MG 335.

Steve looked at one that had been run aground and had some cracking around the floor-pan matrix.

This problem is by no means uncommon among MGs or, indeed, among other boats with moulded matrices.

Then he found one in Chichester that looked pretty well up together, and bought it in July 2002.

Good access to the engine – here a Volvo D1-20 as a replacement for the original Volvo 2002. Credit: David Harding

This boat just happened to be Heartbeat , which had been sold not long after my test and raced in Chichester for a couple of years.

Heartbeat came well equipped for her dual cruising and racing functions, with a Flexofold two-bladed folding prop , cruising and racing mainsails, no fewer than six headsails (she had a conventional headstay), two spinnaker s and a selection of older sails.

Steve immediately started clocking up the miles and has logged more than 21,000 to date.

He maintains the ‘good old naval tradition’ of filling in his log book on every outing.

Among other statistics, it shows that he has averaged over 30 sailing days a year.

Upgrades & enhancements

Naval training also means that Steve hasn’t hesitated to do things to the boat when they have needed doing.

And he didn’t have long to wait for the first big job: after only a few years, movement in the keel became apparent during a winter lift-out.

Bright, new and well-maintained cordage makes a big difference to ease of handling on older boats. Credit: David Harding

The first yard that attempted to fix it failed in such a way that Steve wasn’t prepared to give it a second chance, so he went to another yard that had to start by making good the damage done by the first.

To all intents and purposes the second yard had to replace the bottom of the hull before laminating in a new matrix in timber.

As well as being stronger than the original moulded top-hat section, the new solid matrix wasn’t going to get water trapped inside it.

On occasions when I have seen sections of hollow matrix like this cut away following damage from a grounding, it has been disconcerting to find lots of sticky black gunge where water has found its way in from inside the boat – often because limber holes haven’t been sealed tubes.

Most MGs that race will have replaced the original self-tacker with other headsails. A blade headsail like this is a good choice in a blow. Credit: David Harding

Trapped inside the labyrinth of tunnels, water has soaked into dry mat and absorbent debris and festered there for years or decades.

This weakness, if that’s what it is, is by no means unique to the MG 335.

Besides, any boat should be inspected for signs of groundings and, particularly when there’s a matrix that’s also part of a more extensive interior moulding, cracking can appear some distance from the area of impact.

Copious modifications

As far as Heartbeat is concerned, it’s a matter of ‘problem solved’.

Other jobs Steve has carried out have included fitting a diesel-fired heater (running the pipes through the interior moulding was a challenge), epoxy-coating the hull, fitting a headsail roller-reefing system (not until 2012), curing the window leaks in the saloon (a recognised problem with the 335 and largely resolved on the 346), installing a holding tank and replacing the balsa core in the deck with a plastic alternative in way of the mast step.

This was because water soaked in through the electrics gland.

Most of the hardware is original, including the double jamming foot-blocks for the genoa sheets and spinnaker guys. Credit: David Harding

The fitting of a proper swan-neck for the electrics seemed sensible after that.

Replacement of the original Volvo 2002 raw-water-cooled engine was something Steve deemed essential in 2008, not least so as to have fresh-water cooling and a decent supply of hot water.

The need for a 7º down-angled gearbox ruled out a Yanmar, so a Volvo D1-20 was fitted instead.

After all this – and the list doesn’t end there – Steve has what he describes as ‘a properly fitted out cruising boat’.

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And cruise it he has, on regular trips to the West Country and Channel Islands, a few crossings to France and, last year, 1,400 miles on a ‘Welsh Wanderings’ summer cruise.

In addition to cruising extensively, Steve has entered the Round The Island Race a number of times, always racing under ISC, and has consistently finished in the top five in his division and top 20 in his group.

Before racing, he does what any cruising owner should really do and unloads the cruising kit.

A gybe -preventer is permanently attached to the boom for use on downwind legs. Credit: David Harding

He reckons the boat is half-a-ton lighter and half-a-knot faster when it’s all off.

On cross-Channel trips, when not restricted by racing rules and when he’s going to be on one tack for a while, he takes advantage of having a water tank each side in the saloon – joined by a connecting pipe with an isolating valve – and gives the boat the benefit of water-ballast.

It’s something else that makes half-a-knot of difference, which is significant on a trip of 60+ miles.

Although Steve’s sailing is predominantly cruising, he’s a good example of an owner who likes to make the most of his boat’s potential by sailing efficiently.

If an extra half-knot is up for grabs, why not take it?

Gentle ghosting

On the day of my reunion with Heartbeat , it was good to see the boat looking even smarter than on our first meeting 23 years earlier.

Not quite so smart were the men from the Met Office, who had predicted wind and sun.

After a few glimmers of brightness and half-an-hour of fitful breeze that struggled to reach four knots, we found ourselves floating on a grey, windless Solent .

A roomy and well-detailed interior for a production cruiser/racer. The shelves and lockers are not a standard feature on the MG 335. Credit: David Harding

Thankfully, as I have found over many years of racing MG 335s and 346s, these boats go well in light airs : they will keep ghosting along when most cruisers are glued to the water.

Of course it makes a vast difference if you have an overlapping genoa as opposed to the self-tacking jib that MGs came with as standard.

Tony Castro drew the rig with a big mainsail, so the boat powers up pretty quickly as soon as the wind builds, but there’s still no substitute for an overlapper.

Heartbeat ’s main and genoa both came from the North Sails loft less than three years ago.

The MG 335 is capable of keeping up with larger boats upwind in a good range of conditions. Credit: David Harding

The MG has few weaknesses across the wind range, performing well both upwind and down for a boat of her age, type and weight.

In competitive terms she’s often at her best in light airs (depending on the sail wardrobe and the nature of the competition, of course) and can hang on to higher-rated boats upwind in a breeze.

Downwind she won’t surf as readily as newer, lighter designs but, in the right hands, can still carry her spinnaker in nigh on 30 knots.

Choosing not to fly might be determined by a desire to preserve the rig.

By cruising standards she’s responsive and fun to sail, her only quirk of note being the almost neutral helm.

Verdict on the MG 335

The MG 335 and 346 would still be great boats even if they weren’t exceptionally roomy down below by the standards of the day.

They have a commodious double aft cabin, a good galley and chart table and a roomy saloon, albeit with cranked berths that would be more comfortable if they were straight.

Steve has fitted an outlet for the heater in the wet locker abaft the heads (‘it makes a difference having warm, dry waterproofs’) and has added a couple of stowage units to the outside of the heads door for charts , pilot books and so on.

Plenty of work space and stowage at the chart table, including provision for small essentials. Credit: David Harding

Even without these, the MG has far more stowage incorporated into her detailed joinery than you will find on most mid-range cruising boats built in the last 40 years.

As well as his carefully maintained log book, Steve keeps a book in which to record statistics and measurements.

Whenever something has to be replaced, he makes a note of the sizes and details to avoid having to re-measure or work it all out again the next time.

The chances are that he will have occasion to refer to it, because it looks as though he might well hang on to Heartbeat for a good few years yet.

As he says, ‘to get appreciably more space below while maintaining the same performance, you would have to buy a much bigger boat.’

For the MG 335, there the case rests.

Expert Opinion on the MG 335

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, Marine Surveyor and full member of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA)

www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies has been surveying craft for over 20 years.

As a surveyor, one of the most important things is not to critique any design or builder.

Tony Castro’s design coupled with North Shore as the builder was a good combination.

But, as with many of the lightweight, fast and semi-comfortable cruiser/racer designs, there are several common issues to be aware of.

A generous rig and modest wetted area help the MG to keep moving in a zephyr. Credit: David Harding

The hulls which are raced frequently are worked hard so do tend to soften up; this is often very noticeable around the keel root and rudder stock areas.

When buying it is essential to see the yacht in suspension with a tip test to the keel and rudder.

Also see the boat set down to check her hull doesn’t slump over the keel. If it’s soft, there is a significant amount of work to undertake.

The internal keel matrix will fail from groundings and sometimes from significant overloading which happens as a result of hard racing in bad weather .

Opposite the chart table, the galley works well both at sea and in harbour. Credit: David Harding

The decks are notorious for moisture ingress into the balsa core.

Check the pad in the mast step for moisture too; this is a problem in many yachts so it is worth checking your own boat this spring.

Lastly, be aware of the age of the engine and, as is common with many of these craft, check the port light fittings for leaks.

Alternatives to the MG 335 to consider

Beneteau first 32s5.

The 32s5 demands more concentration than some but is well suited to short-handed sailing. Credit: David Harding

Designed by Jean Berret, the 32s5 caused quite a stir when she was launched in 1988.

The principal reason for this was the interior styling by Philippe Starck (who was responsible for the ‘s’ in the name).

Starck created an interior in polished mahogany with stainless steel and aluminium trim, complemented by white upholstery.

Not surprisingly, such a radical approach caused a few ripples, especially since everything below decks was highly stylised right down to the taps and light fittings.

Nothing like this had been seen before.

If prospective buyers found it all a bit much, they could choose the ‘classic’ interior in teak. It wasn’t exactly understated either, but less controversial.

Whatever you might think of the interior, there’s no doubt that the 32s5 is a quick boat.

The Beneteau was aimed at the sporty end of the cruising market. Credit: David Harding

She’s notably more racy in tone than the first of the s5 series, the 35s5, and needs to be sailed with a degree of attention.

Sailed in the way she needs to be, and reefed in good time if you’re cruising, she’s by no means unforgiving but the long carbon tiller and tweaky, double-spreader fractional rig serve as reminders that you’re on a race-bred boat.

The elliptical keel in cast iron has a bulb at the bottom which, though smaller than bulbs typically found on more recent designs, helps to lower the centre of gravity nonetheless.

It sets the First apart from many of the earlier post-IOR designs that were still influenced by the IOR and the way it effectively penalised stability.

The nature of the 32s5’s interior means that it will need to have been well looked after to look good today.

Longevity might also be an issue because of the full interior moulding and headliner into which all the joinery units and bulkheads were slotted.

It creates a very modular interior that’s slickly finished but it doesn’t allow easy access to all the systems and fittings.

The layout itself, with straight saloon berths and the galley and chart table by the companionway, works well out at sea.

The narrow hull dates her, but the Sadler 34 will eat up miles in comfort. Credit: David Harding

More of a cruiser by nature than the MG 335 and certainly than the First, the Sadler 34 is a spirited performer nonetheless.

Launched in 1984, she made a name for herself in long-distance offshore races, establishing a reputation as a long-legged mile-swallower that can keep going when the going gets tough.

Three Sadler 34s entered the 1990 two-handed trans-Atlantic race and were among the five finishers from 13 starters in their class.

Her upwind ability and ease of motion in a seaway are partly a function of her relatively slim hull.

While it can undoubtedly make life more comfortable out at sea, it means she’s less roomy below decks than many boats of similar length, especially since the double-skinned hull with foam injected between the hull and interior moulding further reduces the internal volume.

The foam enabled her to carry the ‘unsinkable’ label, however, and this claim was borne out when a 34 was hit by a trawler in the English Channel and badly holed.

It remained afloat to be salvaged and repaired.

The double-skinning also provides good thermal and acoustic insulation, though the foam in the bow sections of some heavily used boats has been known to break down and need replacing.

Later boats had low-cg keels designed by Stephen Jones, and were stiffer and faster as a result. Twin keels were offered too.

Another change during production was the introduction of lighter-coloured interior mouldings to replace the original and delightful ‘nicotine yellow’.

Westerly Storm 33

Heavier than many of her rivals, the Westerly Storm still performs well in a breeze. Credit: David Harding

Like many Westerlys, this design by Ed Dubois has a slightly chequered history but is fundamentally a good, swift and solid cruiser with racing potential.

Conceived as a cruiser/racer, she was soon found to be too heavy to be competitive on the race course in light airs.

She was also given a masthead rig, as opposed to the fractional configuration originally drawn by Dubois, because Westerly thought that a fractional rig might be considered too racy by cruising sailors.

The Storm appeared in 1986 and sat in Westerly’s range alongside the Fulmar 32, which was later extended with a sugar-scoop to become the Fulmar 33.

Three years later, the Storm Cruiser was introduced as an alternative, with a shorter rig, reduced deck hardware, the option of twin keels, a bigger engine and more creature comforts down below.

It was only after Westerly’s receivership in the early 1990s that the Storm became the boat that, perhaps, she always should have been.

Westerly turned the sportier, aft-cockpit models into the Regatta range, with fractional rigs and stylish new interiors from Ken Freivokh.

Sadly the combination of their prices and the economy at the time meant that none of the revamped boats, including the Regatta 330 (as the Storm became), sold in significant numbers.

Though the Regatta 330 is still heavy by racing standards, she sails very nicely and makes an excellent fast, well-finished cruiser.

You might be lucky to find one, though, as only around 15 were built.

Enjoyed reading MG 335: Second-hand secret weapon?

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