Built during California's golden age of fiberglass sailboat production, this 27-footer emerged from the design boards as part of Cal's popular lineup of affordable cruising sailboats. The Cal 27 represents the classic approach to small boat cruising that defined recreational sailing in the 1970s and early 1980s. Designed with coastal cruising and weekend sailing in mind, this boat strikes a practical balance between comfort and performance. Her moderate beam and traditional lines provide stable sailing characteristics that inspire confidence in new sailors while offering enough responsiveness to keep experienced sailors engaged. The cockpit layout emphasizes ease of handling, making her well-suited for couples or small families exploring protected waters and nearby coastal areas. Below decks, the Cal 27 maximizes her interior volume with efficient use of space typical of production boats from this era. While not luxurious by today's standards, the accommodation plan provides essential amenities for weekend getaways and short cruises. Her reputation centers on reliability and straightforward sailing characteristics rather than racing performance. For sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising or a dependable boat for local waters, the Cal 27 offers the honest sailing qualities that made Cal boats popular choices among recreational sailors.
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What is the Cal 27's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Cal 27 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 18.25. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Cal 27's comfort ratio?
The Cal 27 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 18.76. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Cal 27 safe for offshore sailing?
The Cal 27 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.06. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Cal 27?
The theoretical hull speed of the Cal 27 is 6.33 knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Cal 27 weigh?
The Cal 27 has a displacement of 5,400.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 27.34 ft.
How much does a used Cal 27 cost?
Based on 1 recent market listings, used Cal 27 sailboats typically sell for between $5,900 and $5,900, with a median asking price of $5,900. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Cal 27?
The Cal 27 was designed by William Lapworth, first built in 1971.