Designed by renowned naval architect Carl Alberg, this classic 27-footer exemplifies traditional American cruising yacht design from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Cape Dory built 277 of these sturdy vessels between 1977 and 1985, establishing a reputation for solid construction and seaworthy handling that continues to attract devoted owners today. The boat's full keel with attached rudder configuration provides exceptional tracking and directional stability, making it an excellent choice for coastal cruising and short-handed sailing. With a displacement of 7,500 pounds and 3,000 pounds of ballast, this masthead sloop offers the kind of motion comfort that made Cape Dory famous among cruising sailors. The generous beam of 8.5 feet provides surprising interior volume for a 27-footer, while the moderate draft allows access to many shallow anchorages. Carl Alberg's design philosophy emphasized seaworthiness over speed, and this boat delivers exactly that. The conservative sail area and robust construction make it forgiving for newer sailors while providing the reliability experienced cruisers demand. Though not built for racing, its excellent comfort ratio of 30.28 and favorable capsize screening numbers reflect its suitability for serious coastal exploration and weekend cruising adventures.
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What is the Cape Dory 27's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Cape Dory 27 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 15.29. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Cape Dory 27's comfort ratio?
The Cape Dory 27 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 30.28. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Cape Dory 27 safe for offshore sailing?
The Cape Dory 27 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.74. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Cape Dory 27?
The theoretical hull speed of the Cape Dory 27 is 5.99 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Cape Dory 27 weigh?
The Cape Dory 27 has a displacement of 7,500.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 27.08 ft.
How much does a used Cape Dory 27 cost?
Based on 8 recent market listings, used Cape Dory 27 sailboats typically sell for between $3,500 and $25,000, with a median asking price of $12,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Cape Dory 27?
The Cape Dory 27 was designed by Carl Alberg, first built in 1977.