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Cascade 27
Designer: Robert A. Smith  ·  Builder: Yacht Constructors Inc./Cascade Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Cascade 27

Designed by Robert A. Smith and built by Yacht Constructors Inc./Cascade Yachts starting in 1978, this 27-footer represents a thoughtful approach to compact coastal cruising. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the masthead sloop rig delivers straightforward sail management for weekend warriors and coastal explorers. With a displacement of 6,400 pounds and ballast of 2,275 pounds, the Cascade 27 strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance. The moderate sail area of 348 square feet and SA/Displacement ratio of 16.2 suggest spirited but manageable sailing characteristics. Her beam of 8.83 feet provides adequate interior volume for a boat this size, while the 4.50-foot draft allows access to many shallow anchorages. The comfort ratio of 23.47 indicates this boat will have some motion in seaway conditions, typical of lighter displacement designs that prioritize sailing performance over ultimate comfort. The capsize screening formula of 1.91 falls within acceptable limits for coastal sailing, making her well-suited for protected waters, weekend cruising, and day sailing adventures. Notable for her fiberglass hull with wood superstructure construction, the Cascade 27 offers classic aesthetics with modern underwater lines, appealing to sailors seeking both character and performance in a trailerable package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.50 ft / 6.55 m
Beam 8.83 ft / 2.69 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 6,400.00 lb / 2,903 kg
Ballast 2,275.00 lb / 1,032 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 348.00 ft² / 32.33 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG/wood superstructure
Designer Robert A. Smith
Builder Yacht Constructors Inc./Cascade Yachts (USA)
First Built 1978
Related Sailboats Cs 27 · Tartan 27 2 · Watkins 27 · Newport 27S · C&C 27
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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
 215
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
 16.2
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
 35.55
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
 287.49
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
 23.47
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
 1.91
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. 6.21 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
 1.78
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. 678.34 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. 16.19
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 34.50 ft / 10.52 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.20 ft / 3.41 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 28.75 ft / 8.76 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.75 ft / 3.28 m
SA Fore 193.20 ft² / 17.95 m²
SA Main 154.53 ft² / 14.36 m²
SA Total (100%) 347.73 ft² / 32.31 m²
Est. Forestay Length 36.27 ft / 11.06 m
How It Compares

vs. C&C 27, Cs 27, Newport 27S, Tartan 27 2, Watkins 27

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cascade 27 ★
27.0 ft
C&C 27
27.0 ft
Cs 27
27.0 ft
Newport 27S
27.0 ft
Tartan 27 2
27.0 ft
Watkins 27
27.0 ft
LWL
Cascade 27 ★
21.5 ft
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
23.9 ft
Newport 27S
22.3 ft
Tartan 27 2
21.4 ft
Watkins 27
23.7 ft
Beam
Cascade 27 ★
8.8 ft
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
9.3 ft
Newport 27S
9.2 ft
Tartan 27 2
8.6 ft
Watkins 27
10.0 ft
Displacement
Cascade 27 ★
6 lbs
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
6 lbs
Newport 27S
6 lbs
Tartan 27 2
7 lbs
Watkins 27
7 lbs
Ballast
Cascade 27 ★
2 lbs
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
2 lbs
Newport 27S
2 lbs
Tartan 27 2
2 lbs
Watkins 27
3 lbs
Sail Area
Cascade 27 ★
348 sq ft
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
453 sq ft
Newport 27S
348 sq ft
Tartan 27 2
413 sq ft
Watkins 27
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cascade 27 ★
215 s/nm
C&C 27
186 s/nm
Cs 27
204 s/nm
Newport 27S
204 s/nm
Tartan 27 2
234 s/nm
Watkins 27
234 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cascade 27 ★
16.2
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
21.8
Newport 27S
16.9
Tartan 27 2
17.5
Watkins 27
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cascade 27 ★
35.6 %
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
—
Newport 27S
—
Tartan 27 2
—
Watkins 27
46.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cascade 27 ★
23.5
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
19.4
Newport 27S
20.5
Tartan 27 2
28.1
Watkins 27
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cascade 27 ★
1.91
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
2.05
Newport 27S
2.02
Tartan 27 2
1.77
Watkins 27
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cascade 27 ★
287
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
—
Newport 27S
—
Tartan 27 2
—
Watkins 27
252
Hull Speed
Cascade 27 ★
6.2 kts
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
6.6 kts
Newport 27S
6.3 kts
Tartan 27 2
6.2 kts
Watkins 27
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cascade 27 ★
1.8
C&C 27
—
Cs 27
2.6
Newport 27S
2.3
Tartan 27 2
1.4
Watkins 27
—
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