1981 27 seaworthy?

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Nov 7, 2004
87
- - Cortlandt Manor, NY
I've been impressed by the stability and sturdiness of my 1981 Cherubini 27. While I have not sailed in the ocean, I have sailed in the worst the Hudson River can dish out and always felt totally safe. I was wondering whether or not it is possible to make this boat seaworthy for ocean sailing or if that is a fools errand. I know I would need to upgrade the ports, hatches, and possibly the standing rigging, but is there anything that disqualifies this boat for blue water action?
 
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Benny

It's size.

I'm very familiar with the capabilities of an H-27 Cherubini having myself owned a 1983. I would be concerned with the following; 1) Deck to hull joint. 2) Spade Rudder makes for a weak design. 3) Deck Stepped mast. Riggin will sag under compression. 4) Low companion way entry step will allow water into the cabin. 5) Small winches. Can't even hoist someone up the mast. 6) No refrigeration. 7) Limited space for provisions. 8) No shower. 9) Shallow bilge. 10) Replacing hatches and portholes, through the hull valves, packing gland, cutlass bearing and rigging. Replace all halyards and sheets and start with good to new sails. Replace all blocks, add a traveller and reseat through the hull transducers. The H-27 Cherubini is a production boat designed for coastal cruising. Its ability to to handle foul weather is limited by its size and design. This was the least expensive boat of its size in those years as you can see by the size, quality or lack of components. The money to be spent in upgrading the boat would be best spent on a bigger boat. The rule of thumb is that to cruise offshore you would need a boat of at least 30 feet. The boat is at it's best as a weekend cruiser in protected waters. It would be great for the Long Island Sound but I would not take it to Bermuda.
 
Nov 7, 2004
87
- - Cortlandt Manor, NY
Very good points

Benny, thanks for your response. I guess you have briefly defined the key elements to look for in an ocean capable boat. Perhaps a full keel would be another, but that seems to be more a matter of opinion than fact. You are right about cost of upgrading vs buying something that's already put together for the intended task. I will enjoy my 27 for a long time before I come the point of heading out to open water.
 
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Paul

Larger Boat

I have owned a '80 H27 for several years and it is now on Lake Pepin. The boat used to be on Lake Superior and I have sailed in 4 foot + waves up there and the boat handled these waves quite well. However I would question taking this out in the ocean. The concerns would be the rudder design, stepped mast, and length of the boat. I agree with Benny, I would look for a full keel, longer, and more of a heavy duty boat for this purpose.
 
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