Beam:  15'    Draft:  6.5'
    Beam:  15'    Draft:  5.6'
    Beam:  15'
    Beam:  15'    Draft:  7.2'
    Beam:  15'    Draft:  6.10'
    Beam:  15'    Draft:  5.8'
    Beam:  12'    Draft:  6'
    Beam:  13.1'    Draft:  5.8'
    Beam:  13'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  13'1'    Draft:  5'9'
    Beam:  11'    Draft:  5.5'
    Beam:  10'10'    Draft:  5'4'
    Beam:  11.47'
    Beam:  10.67'    Draft:  5.08'
    Beam:  10'    Draft:  5.5'
    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  12'    Draft:  4'
    Beam:  33'    Draft:  4.5'

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Scand boat nautic 27 – nautic’ris.

nautica 27 sailboat

The Scand Boat Nautica 27 is a very well made and accepted Scandinavian built craft and is in very nice condition and ready to go for the 2024 season. The Curent owner has had the craft since 2018 and has maintained it with receipts for each year.

Promarine Finance Get A Quote

LOA - 8.3 metres

Beam - 3.28 metres

No. Of Engines - 1

Manufacturer - Volvo

Model - MD 22

Fuel Type - diesel

Power - 50 horsepower

Fresh Water Tanks -

Fuel Tanks -

Year Built - 1990

Total Power - 50 horsepower

Total Engines - 1

Boat Details

The craft makes a very nice family cruiser offering twin V berths in the forward end that with the table down also converts to a double and a double in the aft cabin is what makes it a great family craft where perents can gain a bit of seperate sleeping space from the children or indeed guests. There is a TV and DVD player in the main cabin with enclosed toilet. The wheelhouse has a very usable centre helm position withe the seats folding back to make a cumfortable dinning room with the galley to the starboard side. 

Other inventory include, 2 ring cooker grill, Fridge, 2 X waste bins, 3 x S/C detectors, Camping gas bottle, 2 X fire extingushers, New holding tank, Battery charger, Mud weight, curtains forward and aft cabin, Boat pole fenders and ropes.

For furthe information or to arrange a viewing contact Brendon Brady Email [email protected] or call on 07803430880

For further information and viewing arrangements please see Broker contact details below.

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Home > Find Your Sail > Search by Make and Model > Nautica > Nautica 27

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Let's Get to Know Each Other

Let's connect, why it's important to partner with a designer on your nautica 27 sail.

The design is the most critical part of your new sail. Ensuring the sail fits and performs its best is a must for our crew. The Precision Sails Design team are experts at their craft. Unlike other sail lofts all of our sailors work one-on-one with a designer to perfect their Nautica 27 sail.

No Two Nautica 27 Sails Are Alike

There are many factors that affect the performance and design of your sails. Location, sailing experience, and weather conditions all come into play when picking the perfect sail. Two mainsails made for two Nautica 27’s in California and Florida will have different designs, sailcloth, and options based on what is best for the sailor.

Taking measurements is easy. All sailors work alongside our measurement team to measure and confirm their rig specs. This helps ensure your design is flawless and allows us to extend our Perfect Fit Guarantee to all of our sailors.

Discover the best cloth for your sailing needs, our sail details, or more about how Precision Sails is leading the sail-making industry with innovative new practices.

Headsail-And-Mainsail-in-the-Bahamas

Proudly offering the largest selection of sailcloth in the industry, our team is always available to help you find your perfect sail. Whether you're a weekend sailor, coastal cruiser, or club racer our team is ready to walk you through the process.

Types of Sails

Precision Sail Loft specializes in producing headsails, mainsails, spinnakers, gennakers, and code zeros. So no matter the type of sail you’re looking for, we can help. Our sails are trusted by cruisers and racers alike from around the globe. Review the sail options and craftsmanship available to customize your dream sail.

Build & Process

Every sail we craft is produced to the highest standards with the best hardware, craftsmanship, and skill-set in the industry. Pair that with Precision Sails' approach to communication and your sailboat will be ready to set sail before you know it.

Unparalleled Commitment To Helping Sailors

As experts in design, communication, and production our team is ready to take on the task of making sails for your boat. Give us a call to get started.

“ I just received my asymmetrical spinnaker, with sock and turtle bag, along with a new 135 Genoa. The entire process was simple and both sales and the design team were in regular contact if there were any questions. The customer portal was easy to use and lets you keep track of where in the process your sails are. Great sails, great service -Graham Edwards (Facebook)
“ The whole team at Precision Sails was fantastic from start to finish. We’ve had a laminate main and genoa made so far and have a spinnaker on the way. They listened carefully to our needs and recommended a great sail cloth. We couldn’t have gotten more bang for our buck! -Noah Regelous (Google)
“ We received our spinnaker and launched it yesterday and I just wanted to let you know how pleased we are with it. The service we received from your company was exceptional and the quality of your product is second to none. We will certainly be return customers in the next few months to replace our main and jib sails and will recommend your company to all our sailing buddies. Once again-thank you.” -Daniel Jackson (Google)
“ we had good communication during the planning stages and the knowledgeable people at precision sails really got me fixed up good! The sails look and work fabulous! my boat sails better than it ever had! couldn’t be more pleased with the product AND the service!” -Fred Jelich (Facebook)
“ Our new furling jib for a Corsair 27 Had to be specially designed due to the height of the furler, but this was accomplished quickly and in short order we had our sail which fits beautifully and has a great shape. It’s everything we could have wanted, high tech design, thoughtfully executed and affordable.” -Nancy Y. (Yelp)

Request a Nautica 27 Quote

Looking to buy a new headsail or mainsail for your Nautica 27? Request a free quote from Precision Sails for a new custom sail. Our team will work with you to design the perfect sail for you.

Thanks for telling us a bit about yourself and your boat. Our team will send you a preliminary quote based on information we have gathered from sailors similar to you.

We will give you a call in order to narrow down the options on your quote and improve the accuracy. If you want us to call you at a specific time, feel free to schedule a time on our calendar!

Thanks for telling us a bit about yourself and your boat. Our team will reach out to offer some suggestions and get started on finding you the perfect sail!

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The Nordica 20 Sailboat

The Nordica 20 is a small but sturdy sailboat that was designed by Malta-Muller and built by Nordica Yachts in Canada from 1975 to 1985.

It is a trailerable cruiser with a long keel, a masthead sloop rig, and a canoe stern. It has a fiberglass hull and can accommodate four people in its cozy cabin. The Nordica 20 is known for its seaworthiness and classic lines, and has been used for ocean crossings and coastal cruising by many adventurous sailors.

'Godot', a Nordica 20 sailboat

Published Specification for the Nordica 20

Underwater Profile:  Long keel & transon-hung rudder

Hull Material:   GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall:  19' 6" / 5.9m

Waterline Length:  16' 6" / 5.0m

Beam:  7' 8" / 2.34m

Draft:  3' 0" / 0.9m

Rig Type:  Masthead Sloop

Displacement:  2,500lb / 1,134kg

Designer:  Malta-Muller

Builder:  Nordica Yachts (Canada)

Year First Built:  1975

The Nordica 20: A Few FAQs...

What are the published design ratios for the Nordica 20 and, based on those ratios, how is the boat likely to perform under sail?

The design ratios for the Nordica 20 are as follows:

  • Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.3
  • Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.5
  • Displacement/Length Ratio: 250
  • Comfort Ratio: 14.8
  • Capsize Screening Formula: 2.3

Based on these ratios, the Nordica 20 is a reasonably good performer under sail, with enough sail area to move well in light winds and enough ballast to handle moderate winds. It has a moderate displacement that makes it stable and comfortable, but not too heavy or slow. It has a low comfort ratio that means it may not be very comfortable in rough seas, especially for its small size. It has a high capsize screening formula that suggests it is less suited for ocean passages than other similar boats in its class.

Is the Nordica 20 still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

The Nordica 20 is no longer in production. Production ended in 1985, after about 10 years and around 200 boats built.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Nordica 20 were built and what are the differences between them?

The Nordica 20 has two related versions: the Halman 20 and the Halman 21. The Halman 20 is a development of the Nordica 20, with minor changes such as a different cabin layout, a larger cockpit, and a bowsprit. The Halman 21 is similar to the Halman 20, but with a longer waterline and more interior space.

How many people can sleep on board a Nordica 20?

The Nordica 20 can sleep four people, with a double V-berth in the bow cabin and two straight settee berths in the main cabin. However, the cabin is very small and cramped, so it may not be very comfortable for more than two people for extended periods of time.

How did the sailing press review the Nordica 20?

The sailing press gave mixed reviews to the Nordica 20. Some praised its classic looks, solid construction, and sailing performance, while others criticized its small cockpit, limited buoyancy aft, and lack of amenities. For example, Steve Henkel wrote in his book ' The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats' : "The springy sheer and rounded stern on both the Nordica and Halman give them a salty look...[They] have relatively small cockpits; more than two occupants would constitute a crowd...the extra two berths are pretty much usable only for stowage or in harbor."

What do owners of the Nordica 20 have to say about their boats?

Owners of the Nordica 20 generally love their boats and enjoy sailing them in various conditions. They appreciate their boat's beauty, quality, and seaworthiness, as well as their ability to trailer them easily. They also acknowledge their boat's limitations, such as its small size, low headroom, and simple equipment. Some owners have made modifications to their boats to improve their comfort or performance, such as adding solar panels, wind generators, autopilots, or roller furling systems. Owners also share their experiences and advice on an active class club website called Nordica Boats .

What is the history of the builders of the Nordica 20 and is the company still in business?

The builders of the Nordica 20 were Exe Fibercraft Ltd., a Canadian company that operated under the brand name Nordica Yachts from 1975 to 1985. The company was founded by John Edwards and Peter Jensen, who were inspired by the Danish double-enders designed by Malta-Muller. They started by building the Nordica 16, a smaller version of the Lynaes Senior, which was also designed by Malta-Muller. They then developed the Nordica 20, which was based on the Lynaes Senior, but with some changes to suit the North American market. They also built the Nordica 30, a larger version of the Nordica 20, and the Nordica 40, a custom-designed boat. The company ceased operations in 1985, due to financial difficulties and changing market demands.

What is the average cost of a secondhand Nordica 20?

The average cost of a secondhand Nordica 20 varies depending on the condition, age, location, and equipment of the boat. According to some online listings, the price range for a used Nordica 20 is between $5,000 and $15,000 USD. However, these prices may not reflect the current market value or demand for these boats.

How does the Nordica 20 compare to other similar sailboats in its class?

The Nordica 20 is comparable to other small cruising sailboats in its class, such as the Cape Dory 19 Typhoon Weekender, the Flicka 20, the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, and the Westsail 23. These boats share some common features, such as a long keel, a canoe stern, a masthead sloop rig, and a fiberglass hull. They also have similar design ratios and performance characteristics. However, they differ in some aspects, such as their size, weight, layout, equipment, and price.

For example, the Cape Dory 19 Typhoon Weekender is slightly smaller and lighter than the Nordica 20, but has less interior space and amenities.

The Flicka 20 is slightly larger and heavier than the Nordica 20, but has more interior space and amenities.

The Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 is much larger and heavier than the Nordica 20, but has more interior space and amenities.

The Westsail 23 is similar in size and weight to the Nordica 20, but has less interior space and amenities.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge,  we believe them to be accurate.

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Dear Readers

  • Sailboat Reviews

Santa Cruz 27

Bill lee's first production boat set a standard for fast, lightweight keelboats that are easily sailed by a small crew..

nautica 27 sailboat

Like the French Impressionists of the 19th century who changed the way the world looked at art, beginning in the 1970s a handful of boat designers and builders located in Santa Cruz, California, had a similar effect on the sailing world. Led by Bill Lee, the “wizard” of the bunch, designers and builders like George Olson (Olson 30), Terry Alsberg (Express 27), Ron Moore (Moore 25), and others introduced a ‘fast is fun’ concept that continues to influence today’s design and production methods. Initially focused on the development of production 27-footers, Lee’s influence eventually extended beyond, to 70-foot turbo sleds (and their harbinger, the record-shattering Merlin, whence the nickname “wizard) and back again to the Santa Cruz 52, a legitimate performance cruiser, (emphasis on performance) which PS reviewed in the July 1, 1995 issue. Interestingly, his efforts preceded a similar revolution on the East Coast, when the Johnstones introduced the J/24 and, subsequently, a line of four-person ‘sprit boats’ that has grown to include offshore cruisers.

History At about the same time the Beach Boys were making waves with surfing music and Hobie Alter was changing his focus from surfboards to catamarans, Bill Lee surfaced on the waterfront in Santa Cruz, on the northern end of Monterey Bay. Lee was born in Idaho, raised in Newport Beach, where he began sailing, and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Cal Poly, Santa Barbara. His penchant for sailing was fueled by the sport’s multi-dimensional aspects.

Santa Cruz 27

“No other sport combines meteorology and atmospherics, fluid dynamics, and a chess game,” he says.

While working as an engineer for Sylvania, he sailed in the high winds and waves of the Pacific that had their origins in Alaska. “On a typical day, we’d beat 13 miles north to Davenport, round a mark, reach for 30 miles to Pt. Lobos, and beat back to Santa Cruz.”

Lee was already experimenting with boat design and construction, having completed his first boatbuilding project, a 42-foot plywood boat he says was “too light.” In 1969 he followed with Magic, a 30-foot balsa- cored speedster weighing only 2,500 pounds that he describes as “radical— a 30-foot surfboard.”

He crewed aboard a Cal 40 in the 1971 TransPac with an owner who decided he wanted a faster boat for the 1973 race. With the commission to handle that project, Lee ended his corporate career and donned what was to become the wizard’s cap. His first two designs were Panache, a 40- footer, and Chutzpah, a 35-footer that took corrected-time honors in the TransPac in 1973 and 1975.

The “factory” for Bill Lee Custom Racing Yachts was a 200-foot long, low-ceiling chicken coop (that’s no exaggeration, we’ve been there) located on a hillside in Soquel in which he also stored a 1931 Rolls Royce he intended to restore. Corporate headquarters was a camper trailer located next to a milking shed that housed a welding shop in which lightweight yacht parts were forged. The building has since become a local landmark.

In the ensuing 20 years, many of the most famous American race boats made the journey via truck from the coop to a launch site.

Design That the Santa Cruz 27 became Lee’s first production boat was an accident. The boat began life in the imagination of a sailor who wanted a sailboat that met the IOR Quarter-Ton measurement rule of the time.

“That dictated a boat that was 25 feet long, 9 feet on the beam, and meant that the hull had bumps in all the right places,” Lee says. “But that boat never got beyond the paper stage when the owner decided he wanted to be first to the bar.”

As a consequence, Lee says, “The SC27 and its successors, except for the Santa Cruz 70, were not designed to a racing rule. We studied the racing rules to see what they said. At the time, the Cal 29 and Cal 34 we considered state of the art. However, racing rules have ‘go-slow’ factors in them that improve handicaps but reduce speed. I eliminated the go-slow factors.”

In the process, Lee urged the performance sailing world forward by designing boats that were faster by virtue of design and light displacement, without compromising structural integrity. In most cases, that produced long water lines, good form stability, and smaller, more spartan interiors.

In the case of the SC27, the final product “had the same rig, keel, and rudder [as the quarter-tonner], but was lengthened to 27 feet and narrowed at the beam to 8 feet. It has the same surface area and, generally, required the same raw materials.”

It also has a long “J” dimension of 10.9 feet, which allows large spinnakers to be carried, and short boom offset by a high-aspect mainsail. An external influence was the Santa Cruz – Santa Barbara race, a 225-mile ocean sleigh ride past Point Sur and Point Conception, points of land that produce gale-force winds. Accordingly, Lee designed a self-bailing cockpit and a relatively small companionway opening.

Hull #1 was finished in 1974 for the client, and “was built for profit,” Lee says. However, George Olson, an employee of Lee’s at the time, along with Lee and a few others at the coop, were so taken with the boat that they built the next five for themselves.

“Hull #7 was the second boat we built for a profit,” says Lee. “It was for the owner of a Cal 40 who, while doing the Newport-Ensenada race, was passed by our boat going downwind. He sent us a $500 deposit check along with a request for a price list.”

During the production run, the ballast was increased twice, from 900 pounds to 1,400 pounds, “because it was too tender,” and, with hull #22, to 1,600 pounds, “to improve performance to weather in the ocean.”

Concurrent with SC27s rolling out the door of the coop, Lee was busily designing and constructing Merlin, the now-legendary 68-footer displacing only 23,000 pounds. Launched in 1976, Merlin broke the TransPac record, as well as that of virtually every ocean race she entered, proof that lightweight boats are fast and can be durable. She still makes a cameo appearance in West Coast offshore races.

By the time production of the SC27 was discontinued in 1977, more than 150 had rolled off the line and Lee was constructing the Santa Cruz 50, also a race-winner that precursed a series of 70-footers. The 70s proved so popular, and fast, that class rules were adopted for ocean races.

Lee sold the company in 1995; it is now operated as Santa Cruz Yachts. Now 61, he spends days brokering sailboats and as a consultant to the Maxi 86 fleet.

Appearance Simple and straightforward describes the appearance of the SC27, though when viewed from abeam she has an almost menacing look. Her low freeboard, long foredeck, and a rectangular port constructed of black Lexan on the front of the cabin, a Lee signature, clearly move her out of the Martha Stewart category. Her appearance hints at her performance potential.

The long foredeck is balanced by an equally long, wide-open cockpit, so the low-profile house, also outfitted with black ports, occupies only a small space center stage. The mast is near the intersection of the cabin and deck.

She has considerably less freeboard and is sleeker than many of her 1970s contemporaries. Naturally, the low profile comes at the expense of headroom belowdecks.

Santa Cruz 27

Rig and Deck Though conceived to make boathandling easy for a race crew, the SC27’s deck layout also makes daysailing a simple chore, even for singlehanders. And, her rig is stout enough that running backstays are unnecessary, though it can be tweaked with a split backstay to improve sailshape. The single-spreader masthead rig was equipped with a babystay to prevent excessive mast bend.

The same 51″ long seats that provide room for helmsman and crew to operate jibs and spinnakers from the cockpit also provide the casual sailor with room to stretch out. Seats are 18″ wide and coamings 10″ high, so add cushions and she’ll be comfortable. The 18″ of space between the traveler and companionway adds another seat. A downside is that the fuel tank is stored in the stern, but occupies space in the cockpit when motoring.

The standard arrangement of winches placed two Barient 21s in the cockpit, and Barient 10s on the cabintop. A 36″ long section of sailtrack at the cockpit coaming puts genoa sheets at the fingertips. There are 48″ tracks on deck for smaller overlapping headsails, and short tracks on the cabintop to allow close sheeting of a jib. The toerail is an aluminum section with holes that allow different placement of blocks. However, freeboard is only 24″, so crewmembers can expect to be wet going to weather in high winds or waves.

A bowman, or sunbather, will find comfort in the 8-1/2′ of space forward on deck

On balance, form meets function on the deck, and the cockpit is large enough to be comfortable.

Belowdecks It would be too kind to call the space below rustic because that intimates a level of style. In fact, the space belowdecks is strictly functional. Headroom is approximately 48″—sitting headroom only, in other words— and ventilation is provided only by a vent located at the companionway. The area provides bunks for four and space adequate for cooking camp-style. A cooler large enough for chilled beverages is tucked under a wooden step at the foot of the companionway. A portable head is located forward of a half-height bulkhead. A 23″ long wooden cabinet serves as a nav station. It also conceals an electrical panel that is close at hand but out of the elements.

Two church-style bench seats offer a place to sit while eating. Constructed with 16″ high backs and enclosed ends, they will place crew in a secure spot in a blow.

Storage is outboard of the seats in open spaces measuring 16″ deep and 20″ long. Lee avoided the weight associated with cabinetry while still providing functional storage areas. In fact this has always been a pretty effective stowage arrangement, allowing easy access to personal gear and good ventilation.

The berth in the forepeak is 6’6″ long, and wide enough for two adults; otherwise, racers remove the cushions and use the area for sail storage. Berths port and starboard in the aft quarters are 7′ long and 24″ wide, so provide snug spots for skinnier members of the off-watch. The space below the cockpit is wide open, and can store outboard, fuel tank, and boat gear.

The mast support on our test boat was an upside-down, U-shaped section of aluminum stock spanning the cabintop, attached to two vertical oak supports that bear a striking resemblance to tillers on a daysailer. Supports are fiberglassed into a knee in the hull structure.

“From Hull #28 on, we changed the mast support,” Lee says. “It was initially a beam bonded in the deck that we replaced with the framework of 1/4″ aluminum spanning the deck, supported by two, 2″-square oak posts.” The design disperses loads better than a conventional compression post. Holes in the aluminum support provide a handy place to store coiled sheets and guys.

Regardless of the boat’s spartan accommodations, berths are long enough, and cooking aboard is possible. The lack of a hull liner means she’ll be cool belowdecks during early spring and late fall. However, crews aboard the SC27 have made many California-Hawaii trips. In fact SC27 sailor Norton Smith held the singlehanded TransPac record for 10 years.

Construction Since she was built three decades ago, her fiberglass layup was very straightforward compared to today, and typical of the generation. Though Lee does not recall the exact lamination schedule, he says, “Hulls were constructed of roving, 3/4-ounce mat, and a balsa core to within 10” of the hull-deck joint. The deck was a combination of roving, 10-ounce cloth, and balsa.

“From a mechanical standpoint, the SC27 is pretty conservative and, if anything, it’s overbuilt. It was designed for J. Q. Public, which meant that it had to be more crash-resistant than a race boat, and have longevity.”

The owner of our test boat said, “Some owners feel that you’re going to step through the cockpit sole because it was constructed of a thin laminate.” Many have added additional layers of stiffening material, as Mark Soverel did to the bow of the Soverel 33.

A chronic problem is that the sail tracks tend to leak, a function of the hull flexing and old-fashioned bonding agents. However, most owners say that ports do not leak. A critical element when considering purchase of a used boat is a careful inspection of the deck for spongy spots that suggest the intrusion of water into the balsa.

Performance We tasted a large enough sampling of SC27 performance potential during a two-hour sail on Puget Sound, concluding that she’ll be fast on any point of sail, and does not require America’s Cup talent to reach peak speeds.

We began the day sailing in 2-3 knots of wind which, for most boats, would require motorized propulsion. Not the SC27; the GPS recorded over two knots of speed flying a full mainsail and genoa, working to weather close to the wind.

After rounding a mark and setting the spinnaker in what appeared to be zero apparent wind, boatspeed registered 5 knots, so we were sailing about as fast as the breeze. Rounding a second mark and heading upwind in breeze building to 7- 8 knots, we sailed at over 5 knots hard to weather. Easing sheets, we sailed on a tight reach with a mainsail and 145-percent genoa. Our handheld anemometer displayed 8-10 knots of apparent wind and the GPS recorded 7.5 knots of speed over the ground (in negligible current).

When windspeed exceeds about eight knots on a beat, the racing sailor will maximize performance by placing weight on the rail and minimizing the time the foredeck crew spends forward of the mast.

Though we did not sail in wind or wave conditions that allowed the hull to break loose on a run, surfing down ocean waves at speeds in the teens in a common experience.

Santa Cruz 27

The boat’s 4-foot draft creates a challenge when launching at a ramp. Many owners add tongue extensions to their trailers that ease the chore. Others, including the owner of our test boat, choose another alternative: He parks his trailer at the top of a ramp, attaches a lengthy cable to the bow and bumper of his support vehicle, and allows the trailer to back downhill using the front wheel on the trailer for steering.

Boats are powered at 5-6 knots with a 4-hp. outboard. The owner of our test boat relied on an aging Seagull until it was deep-sixed and replaced by a more current model.

A common criticism is that the motor mount is underbuilt. It is attached to the stern with a quick release mount that allows it to be deployed or stored easily. However, the mounts are wobbly. We’d beef them up before heading into any serious wave conditions.

Conclusion Bill Lee’s “Fast Is Fun” slogan has been adopted by a whole generation of sailors who may not even know where the saying comes from. Applying the logic of the ages to the idea, if fast=fun and light=fast, then light=fun. Unfortunately, this concept has usually fetched up against another, equally cherished concept in sailing: If fun=safe, and safe=heavy, then heavy=fun. So Lee’s reputation for building fast boats comes at a price: Some people assume that his type of boats are unsafe. This is unfortunate and undeserved. The SC27 and all its larger siblings, like the SC50s and SC70s, have been successfully campaigned in rugged ocean racing conditions for many years. SC27s constructed nearly 20 years ago are still racing outside the Golden Gate in blustery northwesterlies.

Critics may ignore the fact that these boats were not constructed with weight-adding furniture that increases displacement and impedes speed. Cockpits and deck layouts on the SC27 are as comfortable and functional as will be found on any “conventional” 27-footer. Spaces belowdecks will be adequate for daysailors, but a compromise for cruisers—though berths and stowage for personal gear are actually decent. As with the Hobie 33 and Soverel 33, the primary inconvenience will be the lack of headroom and use of a portable head.

In response to a question about “Liveability” aboard SC27s in a PS Boat Owner survey some years ago, one owner said, “You can’t have everything. This is what friends with cruisers are for—we get there first and reserve space for them.” On the question about “Speed,” the same reader said, “Let it blow. Let’s go surfin’.” And on “Seaworthiness” he said, “Boat can take it. Crew can’t.”

A small-boat owner who wants to step up to a bigger boat, or a sailor interested in sailing in light breezes or increasing speed in a fresh breezes will be smart to check out the SC27. Used boats with motors sell in a wide range, depending on their condition and equipment list. In a scan of the Internet and the Santa Cruz class association website, we saw asking prices from $6,500 to $19,500, although the latter was an aberration. The normal asking price range is between $9,000 and $13,000.

The national class association website is active and well-maintained. The address is www.sc27.org .

*Ballast differed during the production run. Hull #1 had a 900-lb. keel; Hulls 2-23 a 1,400-lb. keel; Hulls #24- 145 a 1,600-lb. keel.

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