The 27 seems like it may be the ideal boat for us: It has an enclosed head, standing head room, plenty of ballest for the length, trailerable with V8. How does the wing keel sail compared to the full keel? What are some of the negatives and/or other things we should be aware of with the 27? We have a 22 now but like the idea of more room and more weight. Thanks for any input.
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
27s
I understand from my learned colleagues here that there is relatively little difference between the wing & full keels. Not enough to worry about anyway if you're not racing. It sounds like you'll be trailering the boat, no? If so, 27' is about the limit. If not, you might consider making the jump to the 30 if you're looking for comfort. Of course, the 30 is exponentially more expensive so it's really what you want/need out of a boat that makes that decision. I have a 27 & love it! BUT...if I were to go back in time, knowing what I know now about how I sail my boat, I might have chosen a 25 instead. I primarily day sail, rarely overnighting. Sort of depends on what you do with your boat. Have fun with the decision! LaDonna
I understand from my learned colleagues here that there is relatively little difference between the wing & full keels. Not enough to worry about anyway if you're not racing. It sounds like you'll be trailering the boat, no? If so, 27' is about the limit. If not, you might consider making the jump to the 30 if you're looking for comfort. Of course, the 30 is exponentially more expensive so it's really what you want/need out of a boat that makes that decision. I have a 27 & love it! BUT...if I were to go back in time, knowing what I know now about how I sail my boat, I might have chosen a 25 instead. I primarily day sail, rarely overnighting. Sort of depends on what you do with your boat. Have fun with the decision! LaDonna
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Roger Fleming
I love mine
In my view the 27 is the "most bang for the buck". It is large enough to get you through when you misjudge the weather and get caught in some big stuff, though I'd avoid that. Big enough down below for comfortable weekend stayovers. Points and sails great. I've heard that wing keels don't point quite as well, though I've never sailed one. I think trailering a 27 with any kind of regularity is just inpractical. Stepping and tuning the mast along with getting it in and out of the water is a major chore. I don't see you pulling it out of the water on a trailer like a motor boat. It takes a lift to place it in a cradle or trailer. If trailering is important to you, go smaller.
In my view the 27 is the "most bang for the buck". It is large enough to get you through when you misjudge the weather and get caught in some big stuff, though I'd avoid that. Big enough down below for comfortable weekend stayovers. Points and sails great. I've heard that wing keels don't point quite as well, though I've never sailed one. I think trailering a 27 with any kind of regularity is just inpractical. Stepping and tuning the mast along with getting it in and out of the water is a major chore. I don't see you pulling it out of the water on a trailer like a motor boat. It takes a lift to place it in a cradle or trailer. If trailering is important to you, go smaller.
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Rob
Great Boat - Poor Trailer
I'd hate to haul a C-27 out with a trailer. I have hauled J-24's out of the water with submersible trailers, but they are light race boats. Time and laborwise, I think the C-27 should stay in the water. Unless you really like stepping and destepping the mast, and hauling a boat that size around. And hey - some people do. Personally, I'd rather sail. Also - I have heard that the C-27's beam is one inch too wide for normal trailering. It qualifies as a wide load, and requires adequate permits for roads. When I bought my C-27, I kept my Prindle Catamaran. This way, I have the best of both worlds. Best Regards, Rob
I'd hate to haul a C-27 out with a trailer. I have hauled J-24's out of the water with submersible trailers, but they are light race boats. Time and laborwise, I think the C-27 should stay in the water. Unless you really like stepping and destepping the mast, and hauling a boat that size around. And hey - some people do. Personally, I'd rather sail. Also - I have heard that the C-27's beam is one inch too wide for normal trailering. It qualifies as a wide load, and requires adequate permits for roads. When I bought my C-27, I kept my Prindle Catamaran. This way, I have the best of both worlds. Best Regards, Rob
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Randy
27 opinion
The 27 is a great boat, but I can't imagine trailering it on a regular basis. The boat just seems to big to haul around, step the mast, launch, etc. with any kind of frequency. If you have the luxury of a permanent slip, then the 27 is an excellent choice. The weight of the 27 give it a "big boat" feel: momentum through tacks, the ability to cut through waves,etc. I have the shoal (not wing) keel on my 84, and I'm pleased with the boat's performance. Randy
The 27 is a great boat, but I can't imagine trailering it on a regular basis. The boat just seems to big to haul around, step the mast, launch, etc. with any kind of frequency. If you have the luxury of a permanent slip, then the 27 is an excellent choice. The weight of the 27 give it a "big boat" feel: momentum through tacks, the ability to cut through waves,etc. I have the shoal (not wing) keel on my 84, and I'm pleased with the boat's performance. Randy
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Bill H
Trailer a 27?
I moved up from my Catalina 22 which I trailered on occasion. Unless you are a professional truck driver I can't imagine why you would want to put yourself through the hassle. I agree with another comment, I'd rather be sailing. My 27 is in its' slip just waiting for my next outing!
I moved up from my Catalina 22 which I trailered on occasion. Unless you are a professional truck driver I can't imagine why you would want to put yourself through the hassle. I agree with another comment, I'd rather be sailing. My 27 is in its' slip just waiting for my next outing!
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Echo Gulf
Sails and "TRAILERS" great!
I agree with everyones comments regarding the sailing and handling qualities of the C27, it's a great pocket cruiser. I strongly disagree with their comments about trailering. We live 2000 miles inland on the shores of a large lake that freezes 4 to 6 ft ice thickness in the winter. This means launching in the spring and hauling in the fall, our marina has no facilities other than a launch ramp suitable for trailer launching only. Recovery is done with a local picker truck at a reasonable cost ( if a few of us haul at the same time the cost usually averages about $75cdn each). Check the archives for a variety of ways to step the mast, not a major job. Having done this a few times now, my wife, teenage daughter and I can launch, rig and be sailing within an hour. As for trailering long distances, don't let it worry you, with a good trailer and a tow vehicle rated for the load its easier than hauling a large RV. The shape of the hull provides for excellant visibility around it on the highway. We use a Ford F250 with 460 cu in motor, 5 spd trans and .410 gearing to haul "Sea Raven" to the west coast (2000 mi one way) for her annual dip, because of the steep mountain passes, this is the minimum vehicle we can use and still maintain reasonable highway speeds. Most of the marinas at the coast are equiped for launching and recovering much larger boats. By law we are 4 inches wider than the road limits and should apply for a permit, but after confering with the local experts (truckers and enforcement officials) I decided against it. It seems that there is a bit more leniency toward non commercial loads or because of its height while on the trailer, the boat doesn't appear as wide. But for whatever reason, we've never been stopped. I'm not advocating anything illegal, the choice is yours. Sailing or trailering, the C27 is a remarkable boat.
I agree with everyones comments regarding the sailing and handling qualities of the C27, it's a great pocket cruiser. I strongly disagree with their comments about trailering. We live 2000 miles inland on the shores of a large lake that freezes 4 to 6 ft ice thickness in the winter. This means launching in the spring and hauling in the fall, our marina has no facilities other than a launch ramp suitable for trailer launching only. Recovery is done with a local picker truck at a reasonable cost ( if a few of us haul at the same time the cost usually averages about $75cdn each). Check the archives for a variety of ways to step the mast, not a major job. Having done this a few times now, my wife, teenage daughter and I can launch, rig and be sailing within an hour. As for trailering long distances, don't let it worry you, with a good trailer and a tow vehicle rated for the load its easier than hauling a large RV. The shape of the hull provides for excellant visibility around it on the highway. We use a Ford F250 with 460 cu in motor, 5 spd trans and .410 gearing to haul "Sea Raven" to the west coast (2000 mi one way) for her annual dip, because of the steep mountain passes, this is the minimum vehicle we can use and still maintain reasonable highway speeds. Most of the marinas at the coast are equiped for launching and recovering much larger boats. By law we are 4 inches wider than the road limits and should apply for a permit, but after confering with the local experts (truckers and enforcement officials) I decided against it. It seems that there is a bit more leniency toward non commercial loads or because of its height while on the trailer, the boat doesn't appear as wide. But for whatever reason, we've never been stopped. I'm not advocating anything illegal, the choice is yours. Sailing or trailering, the C27 is a remarkable boat.
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Steve
Thanks
We'd like to thanks everyone for their responses. Just for the record; I didn't mean to imply that we'd trailor a 27 everytime we went sailing. We have a mooring and the trailoring would be 70 miles there in the spring and back home in the fall. I like having the boat in our own yard all winter so it is easier to work on it and get it ready for the next spring. Thanks again for the input. Sounds like the general opinion is that the 27 is a great boat.
We'd like to thanks everyone for their responses. Just for the record; I didn't mean to imply that we'd trailor a 27 everytime we went sailing. We have a mooring and the trailoring would be 70 miles there in the spring and back home in the fall. I like having the boat in our own yard all winter so it is easier to work on it and get it ready for the next spring. Thanks again for the input. Sounds like the general opinion is that the 27 is a great boat.
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ToyBox
Bravo
I agree with everything in each post and think that if you are only going to pull the boat in the winter and put her back in in the fall, the C27 is a perfect boat. We live in Annapolis and enjoy our 27 for day and weekend sailing. And pull her to a local Eastport yard for the winter. It isn't as convenient as having her in the back yard, but it isn't much worse. Get the 27 and enjoy the hell out of it. Chris D Toy Box #3636 Eastport, MD
I agree with everything in each post and think that if you are only going to pull the boat in the winter and put her back in in the fall, the C27 is a perfect boat. We live in Annapolis and enjoy our 27 for day and weekend sailing. And pull her to a local Eastport yard for the winter. It isn't as convenient as having her in the back yard, but it isn't much worse. Get the 27 and enjoy the hell out of it. Chris D Toy Box #3636 Eastport, MD
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clint pickett
opinion/review of the c-27
You should read the reviews at this site. I feel the c-27 is about as big a boat a person can trailer around without getting in trouble. It takes a little longer to set up, it is a big but acceptable load to tug around on a trailer But it feels more like a big boat on the water. There is a big jump is inside accomidations with a C-30 but you can't trailer them around as easy. The C-25 is alot lighter weight rigging (take a look at the mast) and not as fast but is easier to trailer around. I have hauled mine from Buffalo N.Y. to K.C. Mo. with a Heavy half Camper Special GMC pickup .
You should read the reviews at this site. I feel the c-27 is about as big a boat a person can trailer around without getting in trouble. It takes a little longer to set up, it is a big but acceptable load to tug around on a trailer But it feels more like a big boat on the water. There is a big jump is inside accomidations with a C-30 but you can't trailer them around as easy. The C-25 is alot lighter weight rigging (take a look at the mast) and not as fast but is easier to trailer around. I have hauled mine from Buffalo N.Y. to K.C. Mo. with a Heavy half Camper Special GMC pickup .
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pass@fcgnetworks.net
Wing keel
I love my 27. It has a wing keel which is great for sailing in the bay. I do find that when hit with a boat wake midship she rolls and rocks like crazy. I have never trailered my boat. I leave it at the marina. I Did have it shipped up from Florida and the guy that trucked it up used a ford f-350. He said she was easy to tow. Joe Passanisi
I love my 27. It has a wing keel which is great for sailing in the bay. I do find that when hit with a boat wake midship she rolls and rocks like crazy. I have never trailered my boat. I leave it at the marina. I Did have it shipped up from Florida and the guy that trucked it up used a ford f-350. He said she was easy to tow. Joe Passanisi
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