Boat models · Catalina
Catalina 27
Sailboat, coastal cruiser · built 1971-1991 · designed by Frank Butler/Bob Finch
Key figures
Comfort24.8moderate
Capsize screen1.86passes for offshore
SA/D15.3undercanvassed
D/L297moderate
Ballast ratio0.39average
Hull speed6.2kt
- Built
- 1971-1991
- Designer
- Frank Butler/Bob Finch
- Builder
- Catalina Yachts (USA)
- Rig
- Masthead Sloop
- Keel
- Fin w/spade rudder, lead ballast
- Length
- 26.8 ft
- Beam / draft
- 8.8 ft · 4.0 ft
- Displacement
- 6,850 lb
Design figures as published, not for any one hull. Full specifications on sailboatdata.com.
Reputation
Classcoastal cruiseras owners use it
Forumsordinarydoes the job, nobody seeks it
Roomy, cheap, easy club boat; unremarkable sailing, age-related deck and rigging issues
- First boat
- respected · cheap, forgiving, huge parts and owner support
- Daysailing
- ordinary · easy to handle, nothing special underway
- Coastal cruising
- ordinary · roomy for size, best in sheltered waters
- Club racing
- ordinary · active PHRF fleets, but not a quick boat
- Loved
- Lots of interior room for 27 ft · Inexpensive to buy and maintain · Strong owner community and parts supply · Forgiving, easy to sail
- Gripes
- Slow in light air · Weather helm when overpowered · Dated, dark interior · Underpowered stock engine options
- Survey for
- Wet deck core around chainplates and hardware · Chainplate and bulkhead tab corrosion or leaks · Tired Atomic 4 or aging inboard engine · Keel-stub and hull-to-deck joint leaks
- Cross-shopped
- Catalina 30 · O'Day 27 · Hunter 27 · Pearson 26
Owner opinion from sailboatowners.com, catalina27.org, forums.sailboatowners.com
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