The Cutlass 27 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 20.0′, the Cutlass 27 tops out around 6.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.0′ LWL = 6.0 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
13.4
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
50.0%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
363
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
30.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.65
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
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
30.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.65
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Cutlass 27 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Dufour Safari 27
204s/nm
Vancouver 27
258s/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° |
2.1 |
2.7 |
3.0 |
3.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.3 |
3.0 |
3.3 |
3.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.0 kts),
SA/D (13.4), 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 Cutlass 27 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ 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 Cutlass 27.
|
Cutlass 27 |
Dufour Safari 27 |
Folkdancer 27 |
Halcyon 27 |
Sabre 27 Hill |
Vancouver 27 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
27.0 |
27.0 |
27.0 |
27.0 |
27.0 |
27.0 |
| LWL |
20.0 |
21.5 |
19.7 |
20.3 |
22.2 |
22.9 |
| Beam |
7.7 |
9.2 |
7.5 |
7.7 |
9.0 |
8.7 |
| Displacement |
6 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
| Ballast |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
290 |
319 |
264 |
290 |
320 |
381 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
204 |
— |
— |
— |
258 |
| SA/Disp |
13.4 |
15.6 |
14.4 |
13.1 |
14.3 |
14.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
50.0 |
37.0 |
55.6 |
44.6 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
30.1 |
20.8 |
24.3 |
30.9 |
23.8 |
32.3 |
| Capsize |
1.65 |
2.03 |
1.75 |
1.63 |
1.90 |
1.67 |
| Hull Speed |
6.0 |
6.2 |
5.9 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
6.4 |