The Com-Pac 27 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 25.0′, the Com-Pac 27 tops out around 6.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √25.0′ LWL = 6.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
201s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
15.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
38.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
206
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
19.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.15
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
15.9
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
19.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.15
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Com-Pac 27 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Com-Pac 27
201s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Catalina 27
207s/nm
Com-Pac 25
222s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.7 kts),
SA/D (15.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Com-Pac 27 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Com-Pac 27.
|
Com-Pac 27 |
Catalina 27 |
Com-Pac 23-3 |
Com-Pac 25 |
Com-Pac 33 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.6 |
26.9 |
23.9 |
25.0 |
34.8 |
| LWL |
25.0 |
23.0 |
20.3 |
21.5 |
29.0 |
| Beam |
9.5 |
9.2 |
8.0 |
8.8 |
11.8 |
| Displacement |
5,500 |
6 |
3,000 |
4 |
11 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
1,340 |
1 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
350 |
323 |
240 |
248 |
530 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
201 |
207 |
— |
222 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
15.0 |
14.3 |
18.5 |
15.2 |
17.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
38.9 |
39.4 |
44.7 |
38.1 |
40.0 |
| Comfort |
19.5 |
25.0 |
13.5 |
15.9 |
20.4 |
| Capsize |
2.15 |
1.86 |
2.22 |
2.17 |
2.13 |
| Hull Speed |
6.7 |
6.3 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
7.2 |