Bill Lee's Santa Cruz 27 represents a pivotal moment in sailing design when the California builder was revolutionizing yacht racing in the 1970s. Built from 1974 with only 134 hulls produced, this masthead sloop showcases Lee's philosophy of light displacement and efficient hull forms that made Santa Cruz Yachts legendary. With a displacement of just 3,000 pounds and 1,500 pounds of ballast, the SC27 delivers impressive performance characteristics. The fin keel with spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the generous sail area of 301 square feet generates plenty of power. These proportions create a sail area to displacement ratio of 23.21, indicating strong light-air performance and spirited sailing in moderate conditions. The boat's 27-foot length overall with an 8-foot beam creates a sleek profile typical of Lee's racing-influenced designs. While the low comfort ratio of 11.64 reflects the performance-oriented nature rather than cruising luxury, the capsize screening value of 2.22 suggests reasonable stability for coastal sailing and club racing. This design appeals to sailors seeking a responsive daysailer or weekend cruiser that prioritizes sailing performance over interior volume, making it ideal for coastal waters and competitive racing scenarios.
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What is the Santa Cruz 27's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Santa Cruz 27 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 23.21. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Santa Cruz 27's comfort ratio?
The Santa Cruz 27 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 11.64. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Santa Cruz 27 safe for offshore sailing?
The Santa Cruz 27 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.22. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Santa Cruz 27?
The theoretical hull speed of the Santa Cruz 27 is 6.58 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Santa Cruz 27 weigh?
The Santa Cruz 27 has a displacement of 3,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 27.00 ft.
Who designed the Santa Cruz 27?
The Santa Cruz 27 was designed by Bill Lee, first built in 1974.