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Hadley 27
Designer: Dieter Empacher  ·  Builder: Bristol Yachts/Triangle Marine Eng. Ltd.  ·  First built: 1998
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About the Hadley 27

Designed as a thoughtful blend of performance and practicality, this 27-foot sailboat represents solid craftsmanship from an era when builders prioritized seaworthiness over flashy amenities. The Hadley 27 emerged during a period when coastal cruising boats needed to balance comfort for weekend getaways with the capability to handle challenging conditions when weather turned serious. With her traditional lines and well-proportioned profile, this boat appeals to sailors seeking a vessel that can serve double duty as both a day sailor and coastal cruiser. The design emphasizes stability and predictable handling characteristics, making her particularly well-suited for sailors transitioning from smaller boats or those who value confidence-inspiring behavior over pure speed. While detailed specifications remain scarce, the boat's reputation among owners suggests a sturdy construction approach typical of her generation. The cockpit and cabin layout prioritize functionality, offering enough space for overnight cruising while maintaining the responsive feel that makes solo sailing or short-handed operation manageable. For sailors focused on coastal exploration rather than marina socializing, the Hadley 27 represents honest sailing values wrapped in a size that remains manageable both at sea and at the dock.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.25 ft / 8.31 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.75 ft / 6.32 m
Beam 9.42 ft / 2.87 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Min Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 7,635.00 lb / 3,463 kg
Ballast 3,818.00 lb / 1,732 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 397.00 ft² / 36.88 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Dieter Empacher
Builder Bristol Yachts/Triangle Marine Eng. Ltd.
First Built 1998
Owner Reviews

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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
16.43
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
26.2
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
1.92
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. 6.1
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. 698.42
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 277, Express 27, Islander 27 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hadley 27 ★
27.3 ft
Bristol 277
27.3 ft
Express 27
27.3 ft
Islander 27 2
27.3 ft
LWL
Hadley 27 ★
20.8 ft
Bristol 277
22.5 ft
Express 27
23.8 ft
Islander 27 2
23.0 ft
Beam
Hadley 27 ★
9.4 ft
Bristol 277
10.0 ft
Express 27
8.0 ft
Islander 27 2
8.3 ft
Displacement
Hadley 27 ★
7 lbs
Bristol 277
7 lbs
Express 27
2 lbs
Islander 27 2
4 lbs
Ballast
Hadley 27 ★
3 lbs
Bristol 277
2 lbs
Express 27
1 lbs
Islander 27 2
1 lbs
Sail Area
Hadley 27 ★
397 sq ft
Bristol 277
342 sq ft
Express 27
276 sq ft
Islander 27 2
285 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hadley 27 ★
16.4
Bristol 277
15.0
Express 27
24.4
Islander 27 2
17.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hadley 27 ★
Bristol 277
40.7 %
Express 27
44.9 %
Islander 27 2
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hadley 27 ★
26.2
Bristol 277
21.1
Express 27
9.6
Islander 27 2
16.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hadley 27 ★
1.92
Bristol 277
2.09
Express 27
2.38
Islander 27 2
2.04
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hadley 27 ★
Bristol 277
274
Express 27
81
Islander 27 2
Hull Speed
Hadley 27 ★
6.1 kts
Bristol 277
6.4 kts
Express 27
6.5 kts
Islander 27 2
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hadley 27 ★
Bristol 277
1.8
Express 27
5.9
Islander 27 2
3.3
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