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Cape Dory 270
Designer: Dieter Empacher  ·  Builder: Cape Dory Yachts  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Cape Dory 270

Cape Dory's reputation for building robust, seaworthy cruising sailboats extends to their 27-foot offering, which exemplifies the yard's commitment to traditional construction and practical design. Built during Cape Dory's active years, this model carries the hallmarks that made the Massachusetts builder renowned among serious cruising sailors. Like other Cape Dory designs, the 270 features solid fiberglass construction with generous layup schedules, creating a boat that inspires confidence in challenging conditions. The design emphasizes seaworthiness over pure speed, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures where comfort and safety take precedence over racing performance. The 270's moderate proportions and traditional lines reflect Cape Dory's philosophy of creating boats that handle predictably in various sea states. The cockpit and interior layouts prioritize functionality and comfort for extended periods aboard, while the construction quality ensures longevity that has kept many examples active decades after their launch. For sailors seeking a dependable coastal cruiser with a proven pedigree, the Cape Dory 270 represents the builder's commitment to creating boats that reward careful seamanship while providing the security and comfort essential for enjoyable cruising adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.25 ft / 8.31 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.75 ft / 6.32 m
Beam 9.42 ft / 2.87 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Min Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 8,380.00 lb / 3,801 kg
Ballast 3,250.00 lb / 1,474 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 398.00 ft² / 36.98 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Dieter Empacher
Builder Cape Dory Yachts
First Built 1984
Last Built 1986
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
219
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
15.49
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
28.76
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
1.86
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. 6.1
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
0.97
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. 698.42
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 38.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.6
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.3
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.0
SA Fore 220.4
SA Main 177.65
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 27, Cape Dory 27, Tartan 27

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cape Dory 270 ★
27.3 ft
Bristol 27
27.2 ft
Cape Dory 27
27.1 ft
Tartan 27
27.0 ft
LWL
Cape Dory 270 ★
20.8 ft
Bristol 27
19.8 ft
Cape Dory 27
20.0 ft
Tartan 27
21.4 ft
Beam
Cape Dory 270 ★
9.4 ft
Bristol 27
8.0 ft
Cape Dory 27
8.5 ft
Tartan 27
8.6 ft
Displacement
Cape Dory 270 ★
8 lbs
Bristol 27
6 lbs
Cape Dory 27
7 lbs
Tartan 27
7 lbs
Ballast
Cape Dory 270 ★
3 lbs
Bristol 27
2 lbs
Cape Dory 27
3 lbs
Tartan 27
2 lbs
Sail Area
Cape Dory 270 ★
398 sq ft
Bristol 27
Cape Dory 27
365 sq ft
Tartan 27
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cape Dory 270 ★
219 s/nm
Bristol 27
186 s/nm
Cape Dory 27
222 s/nm
Tartan 27
234 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cape Dory 270 ★
15.5
Bristol 27
Cape Dory 27
15.3
Tartan 27
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cape Dory 270 ★
Bristol 27
39.0 %
Cape Dory 27
40.0 %
Tartan 27
32.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cape Dory 270 ★
28.8
Bristol 27
Cape Dory 27
30.3
Tartan 27
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cape Dory 270 ★
1.86
Bristol 27
Cape Dory 27
1.74
Tartan 27
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cape Dory 270 ★
Bristol 27
382
Cape Dory 27
418
Tartan 27
336
Hull Speed
Cape Dory 270 ★
6.1 kts
Bristol 27
Cape Dory 27
6.0 kts
Tartan 27
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cape Dory 270 ★
1.0
Bristol 27
Cape Dory 27
0.9
Tartan 27
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