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Controversy 27
Designer: E. Farnham Butler  ·  Builder: Mount Desert Yacht Yard  ·  First built: 1960
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About the Controversy 27

Built during an era when performance-oriented cruising boats were gaining popularity, the Controversy 27 represents a thoughtful approach to compact sailing. This design emerged from a philosophy that smaller boats could still deliver serious sailing capabilities without compromising seaworthiness. Despite limited available specifications, the Controversy 27's reputation suggests a boat well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. The design appears to strike a balance between comfort and performance, making it an intriguing option for sailors seeking more than just a daysailer but not requiring the complexity of larger cruising vessels. What sets this design apart is its focus on practical sailing characteristics rather than pure speed or maximum accommodation. The boat's proportions suggest good stability and handling qualities that would inspire confidence in varied conditions. For sailors considering coastal exploration or extended day sailing, the Controversy 27 offers an interesting alternative to more common production boats of similar size. The limited documentation surrounding this model adds to its appeal for enthusiasts who appreciate less mainstream designs. Potential owners drawn to boats with character and individual personality will find the Controversy 27 worth investigating, particularly if they value sailing performance over extensive creature comforts.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.50 ft / 6.86 m
Beam 7.92 ft / 2.41 m
Max Draft 4.67 ft / 1.42 m
Min Draft 2.83 ft / 0.86 m
Displacement 4,600.00 lb / 2,087 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 316.00 ft² / 29.36 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Wood /FG
Designer E. Farnham Butler
Builder Mount Desert Yacht Yard
First Built 1960
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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
18.33
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
18.81
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. 6.36
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. 636.73
How It Compares

vs. Cal 27, Morgan 27, Tanzer 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Controversy 27 ★
27.5 ft
Cal 27
27.3 ft
Morgan 27
27.5 ft
Tanzer 28
27.6 ft
LWL
Controversy 27 ★
22.5 ft
Cal 27
22.3 ft
Morgan 27
25.0 ft
Tanzer 28
23.5 ft
Beam
Controversy 27 ★
7.9 ft
Cal 27
9.0 ft
Morgan 27
9.8 ft
Tanzer 28
9.8 ft
Displacement
Controversy 27 ★
4 lbs
Cal 27
5 lbs
Morgan 27
7 lbs
Tanzer 28
6 lbs
Ballast
Controversy 27 ★
Cal 27
2 lbs
Morgan 27
3 lbs
Tanzer 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Controversy 27 ★
316 sq ft
Cal 27
Morgan 27
373 sq ft
Tanzer 28
346 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Controversy 27 ★
Cal 27
198 s/nm
Morgan 27
174 s/nm
Tanzer 28
207 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Controversy 27 ★
18.3
Cal 27
Morgan 27
16.4
Tanzer 28
15.9
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Controversy 27 ★
18.8
Cal 27
Morgan 27
20.0
Tanzer 28
19.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Controversy 27 ★
1.91
Cal 27
Morgan 27
2.06
Tanzer 28
2.11
Hull Speed
Controversy 27 ★
6.4 kts
Cal 27
Morgan 27
6.7 kts
Tanzer 28
6.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Controversy 27 ★
Cal 27
Morgan 27
2.6
Tanzer 28
2.4
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