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Express 27
Designer: Carl Schumacher  ·  Builder: Alsberg Brothers Boatworks  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Express 27

Designed by Carl Schumacher and built by Alsberg Brothers Boatworks starting in 1982, this 27-footer represents a compelling blend of racing performance and coastal cruising capability. With 116 hulls produced, the Express 27 carved out a solid reputation in the competitive small boat market of the 1980s. Schumacher's design philosophy shines through in the boat's aggressive sail area to displacement ratio of 24.36, marking it as a genuine performance-oriented vessel. The fractional sloop rig combined with a fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and impressive upwind performance. At 2,450 pounds displacement with 1,100 pounds of ballast, the boat achieves an excellent balance between stability and speed. The Express 27 excels in coastal racing and spirited day sailing, where its light displacement and efficient sail plan truly shine. While the extremely low comfort ratio of 9.57 clearly indicates this boat prioritizes speed over creature comforts, it remains a viable option for weekend coastal cruising with a small crew. The moderate beam of 8 feet keeps the boat manageable while maintaining good initial stability. For sailors seeking an affordable entry into performance sailing or one-design racing, the Express 27 offers proven Schumacher design DNA in an accessible package.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$22,500 – $22,500
typical asking price
Median $22,500  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$22,500 – $22,500 2
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) 27.25 ft / 8.31 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.75 ft / 7.24 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 2,450.00 lb / 1,111 kg
Ballast 1,100.00 lb / 499 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 276.00 ft² / 25.64 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Carl Schumacher
Builder Alsberg Brothers Boatworks
First Built 1982
Number Built 116
Associations Express 27
Owner Reviews

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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
 137
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
 24.36
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
 44.9
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
 81.64
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
 9.57
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
 2.38
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. 6.53 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
 5.85
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. 678.89 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. 24.4
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 28.50 ft / 8.69 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 28.50 ft / 8.69 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.40 ft / 3.17 m
SA Fore 128.25 ft² / 11.91 m²
SA Main 148.20 ft² / 13.77 m²
SA Total (100%) 276.45 ft² / 25.68 m²
Est. Forestay Length 29.89 ft / 9.11 m
Find a Express 27 For Sale
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