The Cc 27 Mk Iii is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.9′, the Cc 27 Mk Iii tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.9′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
17.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
38.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
206
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
18.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.08
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
19.2
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
748lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
18.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.08
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Cc 27 Mk Iii sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Islander 28
186s/nm
Newport 28
192s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (17.7), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Cc 27 Mk Iii — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Cc 27 Mk Iii.
|
Cc 27 Mk Iii |
Cc 27 Mk Iv |
Islander 28 |
Mirage 27 Perry |
Newport 28 |
Tanzer 85 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
27.9 |
27.9 |
27.9 |
27.9 |
27.7 |
27.9 |
| LWL |
22.9 |
22.9 |
23.1 |
21.7 |
25.0 |
23.8 |
| Beam |
9.2 |
9.2 |
9.8 |
9.3 |
9.5 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
5 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
344 |
361 |
361 |
313 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
186 |
— |
192 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
17.7 |
18.6 |
15.8 |
16.7 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
38.5 |
38.5 |
42.9 |
42.3 |
45.7 |
40.5 |
| Comfort |
18.3 |
18.3 |
21.0 |
17.6 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
2.08 |
2.08 |
2.06 |
2.14 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
6.4 |
6.4 |
6.2 |
— |
— |