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Buccaneer 272
Designer: D. Peterson (Unauthorized)  ·  Builder: Bayliner Marine Corp (Usa)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Buccaneer 272

Built by Bayliner Marine Corporation starting in 1978, this 27-footer represents an interesting chapter in sailboat manufacturing history. The design carries Doug Peterson's signature styling, though produced without his authorization, resulting in a boat that captures elements of his racing-influenced aesthetic at a more accessible price point. With its fin keel and spade rudder configuration, the Buccaneer 272 delivers responsive handling characteristics that appeal to sailors seeking performance-oriented sailing. The masthead sloop rig provides straightforward sail handling, while the moderate displacement of 5,200 pounds strikes a balance between stability and speed potential. A comfort ratio of 19.82 suggests this boat leans toward the sportier side of coastal cruising, offering spirited sailing without sacrificing reasonable accommodations. The fiberglass construction and 1,600-pound ballast ratio provide adequate stability for coastal waters and protected offshore passages. Sailors will find the 380 square feet of sail area generates good performance in moderate conditions, though the boat's design priorities favor day sailing and weekend cruising over extended offshore voyaging. The Buccaneer 272 suits sailors who appreciate Peterson's design philosophy while seeking an affordable entry into quality sailboat ownership, particularly for coastal exploration and club racing activities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.50 ft / 7.47 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 5,200.00 lb / 2,359 kg
Ballast 1,600.00 lb / 726 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 380.00 ft² / 35.30 m²
Headroom 6.08 ft / 1.85 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer D. Peterson (unauthorized)
Builder Bayliner Marine Corp (USA)
First Built 1978
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
20.32
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
30.77
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
157.85
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
19.82
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.85
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.63 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
3.23
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 700.33 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 16.85
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.60 ft / 3.54 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 26.25 ft / 8.00 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.75 ft / 3.28 m
SA Fore 174.00 ft² / 16.17 m²
SA Main 141.09 ft² / 13.11 m²
SA Total (100%) 315.09 ft² / 29.27 m²
Est. Forestay Length 32.16 ft / 9.80 m
Mast Height (DWL) 34.25 ft / 10.44 m
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
How It Compares

vs. Buccaneer 277, Cal 27, Catalina 275 Sport, Mirage 275, Morgan 27

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Buccaneer 272 ★
27.5 ft
Buccaneer 277
27.5 ft
Cal 27
27.3 ft
Catalina 275 Sport
27.5 ft
Mirage 275
27.5 ft
Morgan 27
27.5 ft
LWL
Buccaneer 272 ★
24.5 ft
Buccaneer 277
24.5 ft
Cal 27
22.3 ft
Catalina 275 Sport
24.0 ft
Mirage 275
22.5 ft
Morgan 27
25.0 ft
Beam
Buccaneer 272 ★
8.0 ft
Buccaneer 277
8.0 ft
Cal 27
9.0 ft
Catalina 275 Sport
9.8 ft
Mirage 275
9.8 ft
Morgan 27
9.8 ft
Displacement
Buccaneer 272 ★
5 lbs
Buccaneer 277
6 lbs
Cal 27
5 lbs
Catalina 275 Sport
6 lbs
Mirage 275
6 lbs
Morgan 27
7 lbs
Ballast
Buccaneer 272 ★
1 lbs
Buccaneer 277
1 lbs
Cal 27
2 lbs
Catalina 275 Sport
2 lbs
Mirage 275
2 lbs
Morgan 27
3 lbs
Sail Area
Buccaneer 272 ★
380 sq ft
Buccaneer 277
380 sq ft
Cal 27
Catalina 275 Sport
340 sq ft
Mirage 275
Morgan 27
373 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Buccaneer 272 ★
Buccaneer 277
Cal 27
198 s/nm
Catalina 275 Sport
194 s/nm
Mirage 275
201 s/nm
Morgan 27
174 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Buccaneer 272 ★
20.3
Buccaneer 277
18.4
Cal 27
Catalina 275 Sport
15.6
Mirage 275
Morgan 27
16.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Buccaneer 272 ★
30.8 %
Buccaneer 277
26.5 %
Cal 27
50.5 %
Catalina 275 Sport
40.0 %
Mirage 275
35.3 %
Morgan 27
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Buccaneer 272 ★
19.8
Buccaneer 277
23.1
Cal 27
Catalina 275 Sport
Mirage 275
Morgan 27
20.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Buccaneer 272 ★
1.85
Buccaneer 277
1.76
Cal 27
Catalina 275 Sport
Mirage 275
Morgan 27
2.06
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Buccaneer 272 ★
157
Buccaneer 277
183
Cal 27
216
Catalina 275 Sport
209
Mirage 275
266
Morgan 27
Hull Speed
Buccaneer 272 ★
6.6 kts
Buccaneer 277
6.6 kts
Cal 27
Catalina 275 Sport
Mirage 275
Morgan 27
6.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Buccaneer 272 ★
3.2
Buccaneer 277
2.7
Cal 27
Catalina 275 Sport
Mirage 275
Morgan 27
2.6
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