I have a 1986 272 that I am really interested in purchasing.. The only thing I heard on a bad note was that in choppy conditions the boat slows significantly. Can anyone add some more info on this? Or is this just a false statement..?
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272 in a chop
I got caught out by a wind shift and a forecast change with predicted winds arriving some 6 hours before the original forecast. I was halfway into the passage and to return to the original anchorage was an unfavourable choice. Forecast 15 to 20 knot winds for late in the day became 20 to 25 knots before noon and gave me a beam sea for my course. Wave heights reached 6 ft so I had to do a major reef and head more into the wind with the diesel assisting for this heading. The 272 rode the swells comfortably with no frighting moments and although I travelled an extra 7 miles and 2 hours to a safe haven my wife still trusts me and the boat. I think like all sailing, know your boat and your own abilities. Arthur Griffiths Thames Lad
I got caught out by a wind shift and a forecast change with predicted winds arriving some 6 hours before the original forecast. I was halfway into the passage and to return to the original anchorage was an unfavourable choice. Forecast 15 to 20 knot winds for late in the day became 20 to 25 knots before noon and gave me a beam sea for my course. Wave heights reached 6 ft so I had to do a major reef and head more into the wind with the diesel assisting for this heading. The 272 rode the swells comfortably with no frighting moments and although I travelled an extra 7 miles and 2 hours to a safe haven my wife still trusts me and the boat. I think like all sailing, know your boat and your own abilities. Arthur Griffiths Thames Lad
Some general observations....
First of all, let me say that I like the 272. It would be an ideal bigger boat for the sailing venue nearest my home thanks to it's unusually shallow draft - At 2'11" it actually draws less than my Potter 15 or my O'day 192 do with their centerboards down. However, if where you plan to sail the boat is deep and won't exploit that virtue of the 272, you may be less tolerant of the windward performance sacrifices that are inevitable with a shoal draft design. I think I read the same review where the disenchanted former owner blamed the wing keel for poor performance in chop and I'm not sure I buy it. The 272 is also a light boat, and I suspect the reduced momentum might affect it's ability to punch through waves, more so than the additional lateral area on the keel It's fun to contrast the 272 with the O'day 28. Although only different by a foot overall, the 5000 lb 272 with it's transom hung rudder and (usually) outboard power personifies the "big little boat" (some people actually trailer them) while the robust 7300 lb. 28, with it's keel-stepped mast and 10' of beam is the "little big boat". That said, I'd choose the boat best suited for the area and conditions where you'll be sailing. That's likely to provide the best experience for you and your crew.
First of all, let me say that I like the 272. It would be an ideal bigger boat for the sailing venue nearest my home thanks to it's unusually shallow draft - At 2'11" it actually draws less than my Potter 15 or my O'day 192 do with their centerboards down. However, if where you plan to sail the boat is deep and won't exploit that virtue of the 272, you may be less tolerant of the windward performance sacrifices that are inevitable with a shoal draft design. I think I read the same review where the disenchanted former owner blamed the wing keel for poor performance in chop and I'm not sure I buy it. The 272 is also a light boat, and I suspect the reduced momentum might affect it's ability to punch through waves, more so than the additional lateral area on the keel It's fun to contrast the 272 with the O'day 28. Although only different by a foot overall, the 5000 lb 272 with it's transom hung rudder and (usually) outboard power personifies the "big little boat" (some people actually trailer them) while the robust 7300 lb. 28, with it's keel-stepped mast and 10' of beam is the "little big boat". That said, I'd choose the boat best suited for the area and conditions where you'll be sailing. That's likely to provide the best experience for you and your crew.
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