Catalina 27
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About the Catalina 27
Frank Butler's design for Catalina Yachts became one of the most successful small cruising sailboats ever produced, with thousands built since its introduction in 1971. This coastal cruiser struck an ideal balance between affordability and sailing performance that resonated with weekend sailors and first-time boat owners across America. Built with a moderate displacement hull and fin keel configuration, the boat offers predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in novice sailors while remaining engaging for experienced crews. The cockpit provides comfortable seating for day sailing, while the cabin accommodates basic cruising needs with sleeping quarters and essential amenities for short coastal adventures. What truly distinguished this design was Catalina's commitment to production efficiency and quality control, making boat ownership accessible to middle-class sailing enthusiasts. The boat's reputation for solid construction and reasonable maintenance requirements helped establish Catalina Yachts as a dominant force in the recreational sailing market. Perfect for coastal cruising, weekend getaways, and sailing instruction, this model continues to hold its value well in the used boat market. Its widespread popularity means parts and service remain readily available, making it an excellent choice for sailors seeking a proven, no-nonsense cruising platform.
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Market Price Estimate
Beta
$1,200 – $19,500
typical asking price · boat only
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
- Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
- Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
- Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
- Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
26.92 ft / 8.20 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
23.00 ft / 7.01 m
Beam
9.17 ft / 2.79 m
Max Draft
4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement
6,850 lb / 3,107 kg
Ballast
2,700 lb / 1,225 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
Sail Area (Reported)
323 ft² / 30.01 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type
Masthead Sloop
Construction
FG
Designer
Frank Butler
Builder
Catalina Yachts (USA)
First Built
1971
Last Built
1991
Number Built
6662
Related Sailboats
Pearson 27 · Cs 27 · Tartan 27 · Precision 27 · Cascade 27
Owner Reviews
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
Known Issues & What to Watch For
The keel-to-hull joint on early models used an external ballast keel bolted through a shallow stub. Keel bolt corrosion and weeping at the keel-hull interface is a well-documented problem; inspect closely for rust staining, soft gelcoat, or movement under load.
pre-1983 models
The deck-to-hull joint is an inward-turning flange joined with adhesive and covered by an aluminum toerail. Water intrusion behind the toerail is chronic and frequently causes delamination of the balsa-cored deck sections underneath.
The cockpit sole and side decks used balsa core in many production years. Compression or softness around stanchion bases and deck hardware is common due to water-saturated balsa, often the result of fasteners bedded inadequately at the factory.
The tabernacle and mast partner area on deck is a known stress concentration point. Cracking of the gelcoat and underlying laminate around the mast base is frequently found, particularly on boats used with in-mast or on-deck furling retrofits.
The standard chainplate backing plates are relatively small and bonded to a cored deck section. Chainplate pull-through or delamination around chainplate attachment points is a documented failure mode; backing plates should be inspected for movement or elongated fastener holes.
The aluminum spade rudder shaft is prone to corrosion at the waterline where it exits the hull, and the stock-to-blade bond can fail over time. Check for play in the rudder and any signs of delamination between the fiberglass blade and the aluminum shaft.
Early models were fitted with the Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine, which has known issues with fuel system degradation and carburetor wear. Many have been converted to small diesel inboards; verify engine type and condition of fuel lines and tank if the Atomic 4 is still present.
pre-1980 models
The engine compartment access on the C27 is tight, making routine maintenance difficult. Overheating problems related to impeller neglect and heat exchanger scaling are common because owners avoid the awkward servicing access.
The quarter berth on the starboard side runs under the cockpit and is prone to water intrusion from the cockpit drain seacocks and the stern locker. Inspect for mildew, soft laminate, and drain fitting integrity in this area.
The bow pulpit and stern pulpit bases were often through-bolted with minimal backing plates directly into the cored fiberglass, leading to core compression and water ingress at these fittings over time.
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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
207
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
14.31
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
39.42
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
251.34
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.
4.52 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
15.22
J (Foretriangle Base)
11.25 ft / 3.43 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
342.00 ft² / 31.77 m²
E (Mainsail Foot)
6.08 ft / 1.85 m
How It Compares
vs. Cascade 27, Cs 27, Pearson 27, Precision 27, Tartan 27
This boat
Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
LWL
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Beam
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Displacement
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Ballast
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Sail Area
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Hull Speed
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
Speed Number
(higher = faster)
Catalina 27 ★
Cascade 27
Cs 27
Pearson 27
Precision 27
Tartan 27
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