What should I know about the LM Mermaid 290 before buying one?

The LM Mermaid 290 is worth considering as a compact cruising yacht, but condition and equipment matter more than the builder's reputation alone. Confirm the exact model, build year and engine installation, then arrange a haul-out survey and sailing trial before committing.

Confirm the LM model

LM built several yacht ranges, so the Mermaid name matters. Do not judge this boat by reports about the familiar LM wheelhouse motorsailers: the Mermaid 290 belongs to the more sailing-oriented side of the Danish builder's output.

Advertisements for older boats sometimes mix model names, dimensions and equipment specifications. Match the builder's plate and hull identification to the original paperwork, and ask for any available handbook. Use the boat's documents to establish draught, displacement, tank capacities and original machinery. Replacement engines and owner alterations can make generic specifications misleading.

Ask for invoices covering standing rigging, sails, engine work, underwater fittings and any grounding repairs. A tidy cabin is welcome, but documented maintenance of expensive components is a stronger reason to buy.

Performance under sail

Expect a conventional cruising yacht of roughly 29ft, rather than modern lightweight performance. Sail shape, hull cleanliness, propeller drag and cruising load strongly influence how lively an older example feels.

For passage planning, around 4 to 5 knots is a sensible starting allowance for a cruising yacht of this size, subject to conditions. This is a planning estimate, not a verified Mermaid 290 performance figure. Establish the boat's capabilities during the trial.

• Light winds: check whether the genoa draws properly and the boat accelerates after a tack. A baggy mainsail and tired furling genoa can make a sound hull feel sluggish.
• Upwind: sail on both tacks and compare pointing, speed and helm pressure. Excessive weather helm warrants checking sail trim, reefing and rig setup.
• Reaching: look for steady tracking and manageable steering loads, with the sails properly trimmed.
• Manoeuvring: test stopping, reversing and turning in confined water. Propeller arrangement and windage affect handling, so practise with the actual installation.

Choose a trial with enough wind to load the sails and steering. A short motor around a sheltered marina proves very little about sailing condition.

Engine, drive and domestic systems

Identify the engine from its own plate; do not assume every 290 has the same machinery. Inspect it cold, then run it under load until fully warm. Check starting, exhaust-water flow, smoke, vibration, charging and leaks.

Confirm whether the boat has a saildrive or shaft installation. With a saildrive, check the manufacturer's diaphragm replacement interval against dated invoices, inspect for corrosion and examine the oil for water contamination. With a shaft, inspect the stern seal, coupling, engine mounts and cutless bearing. These are checks on the fitted equipment, not evidence of a Mermaid-specific defect.