Boat models · Cape Dory

Cape Dory 27

Sailboat, coastal cruiser · built 1977-1985 · designed by Carl Alberg

Key figures

Comfort30.1kindly offshore
Capsize screen1.74passes for offshore
SA/D14.8undercanvassed
D/L419heavy
Ballast ratio0.4stiff
Hull speed6kt
Built
1977-1985
Designer
Carl Alberg
Builder
Cape Dory Yachts
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Keel
Full keel with attached rudder
Length
27.1 ft
Beam / draft
8.5 ft · 4.0 ft
Displacement
7,500 lb

Design figures as published, not for any one hull. Full specifications on sailboatdata.com.

Reputation

Classcoastal cruiseras owners use it
Forumsrespectedpicked over its peers

Pretty, well-built little full-keel cruiser; slow and cramped below, but holds value.

Coastal cruising
respected · seakindly, sturdy, comfortable motion for size
Daysailing
ordinary · stiff and easy, but slow in light air
First boat
ordinary · forgiving, but good ones cost more than peers
Offshore passages
mixed · capable hull, but small and slow
Loved
Solid hand-laid hull and traditional looks · Stiff, seakindly motion · Quality teak and joinery · Holds resale value
Gripes
Slow in light air · Cramped headroom and interior · Full keel hard to handle in reverse · Dark, small cabin
Survey for
Wet balsa deck core around hardware · Chainplate and bulkhead leaks · Teak deck and trim maintenance · Tired original Atomic 4 or diesel engine
Cross-shopped
Pearson Triton · Bristol 27 · Catalina 27 · Tartan 27

Owner opinion from capedory.org, sailboatdata.com

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