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Hotfoot 27
Designer: Doug Hemphill  ·  Builder: Hotfoot Boats  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Hotfoot 27

With limited documentation available, the Hotfoot 27 represents one of sailing's more elusive designs from the late 20th century. This 27-footer appears to have been positioned as a performance-oriented boat, as suggested by its spirited name and the era's emphasis on speed-focused designs. Based on typical characteristics of similarly named vessels from this period, the Hotfoot 27 likely featured a relatively aggressive sail plan and hull form optimized for responsive handling and competitive performance. The boat probably appealed to sailors seeking an exciting ride on coastal waters, with design elements that prioritized speed and agility over pure comfort. Given the scarcity of detailed specifications and production records, the Hotfoot 27 appears to have had limited production numbers, making it something of a rare find in today's used boat market. Prospective buyers interested in this model should expect to conduct thorough research and potentially work with marine surveyors familiar with lesser-documented designs. For sailors drawn to unique boats with performance potential, the Hotfoot 27 could represent an interesting project, though the limited available information makes careful inspection essential before purchase.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 9.33 ft / 2.84 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 3,600.00 lb / 1,633 kg
Ballast 1,500.00 lb / 680 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 347.00 ft² / 32.24 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Doug Hemphill
Builder Hotfoot Boats
First Built 1981
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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
150
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
23.7
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
12.09
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
2.44
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. 6.29
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
4.23
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. 733.42
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 29.08
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.75
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.0
SA Fore 141.77
SA Main 204.75
How It Compares

vs. Cs 27, Precision 27, Santa Cruz 27

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hotfoot 27 ★
27.0 ft
Cs 27
27.0 ft
Precision 27
27.0 ft
Santa Cruz 27
27.0 ft
LWL
Hotfoot 27 ★
22.0 ft
Cs 27
23.9 ft
Precision 27
22.8 ft
Santa Cruz 27
24.1 ft
Beam
Hotfoot 27 ★
9.3 ft
Cs 27
9.3 ft
Precision 27
10.0 ft
Santa Cruz 27
8.0 ft
Displacement
Hotfoot 27 ★
3 lbs
Cs 27
6 lbs
Precision 27
5 lbs
Santa Cruz 27
3 lbs
Ballast
Hotfoot 27 ★
1 lbs
Cs 27
2 lbs
Precision 27
1 lbs
Santa Cruz 27
1 lbs
Sail Area
Hotfoot 27 ★
347 sq ft
Cs 27
453 sq ft
Precision 27
Santa Cruz 27
301 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hotfoot 27 ★
150 s/nm
Cs 27
204 s/nm
Precision 27
222 s/nm
Santa Cruz 27
144 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hotfoot 27 ★
23.7
Cs 27
21.8
Precision 27
Santa Cruz 27
23.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hotfoot 27 ★
Cs 27
Precision 27
33.3 %
Santa Cruz 27
50.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hotfoot 27 ★
12.1
Cs 27
19.4
Precision 27
Santa Cruz 27
11.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hotfoot 27 ★
2.44
Cs 27
2.05
Precision 27
Santa Cruz 27
2.22
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hotfoot 27 ★
Cs 27
Precision 27
202
Santa Cruz 27
95
Hull Speed
Hotfoot 27 ★
6.3 kts
Cs 27
6.6 kts
Precision 27
Santa Cruz 27
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hotfoot 27 ★
4.2
Cs 27
2.6
Precision 27
Santa Cruz 27
5.3
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