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Hughes Columbia 27
Designer: Alan Payne  ·  Builder: Hughes Boatworks Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Hughes Columbia 27

Built during the late 1970s, this 27-footer represents Hughes's venture into the popular small cruiser market of that era. The Columbia 27 emerged as part of the broader Columbia line's evolution under Hughes ownership, targeting sailors seeking an affordable entry into coastal cruising and weekend sailing. The design reflects typical late-70s thinking with a moderate beam and traditional lines that prioritize interior volume while maintaining reasonable sailing characteristics. Her accommodation plan makes efficient use of the available space, offering basic cruising amenities suitable for couples or small families exploring protected waters and nearby coastal areas. While not built for aggressive offshore passages, the Columbia 27 serves well as a coastal cruiser and day sailor. Her size and design make her particularly appealing to newer sailors transitioning from smaller boats, or experienced sailors wanting a manageable vessel for relaxed sailing without extensive maintenance demands. The boat's construction follows the production methods common to that period, emphasizing affordability and practicality over premium materials or cutting-edge design features. Today, these boats are often found as starter cruisers or project boats, representing an accessible path into sailboat ownership for budget-conscious sailors seeking their first keelboat experience.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.25 ft / 6.48 m
Beam 9.33 ft / 2.84 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 7,300.00 lb / 3,311 kg
Ballast 3,100.00 lb / 1,406 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Alan Payne
Builder Hughes Boatworks Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1980
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
42.47
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
339.62
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. 4.25 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 14.72
J (Foretriangle Base) Not to be confused with a much earlier HUGHES 27 (1968?) designed by Howard Hughes.
P (Mainsail Luff) 345.00 ft² / 32.05 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 22 gals / 83 L
Water Capacity 90 gals / 341 L
How It Compares

vs. Cascade 27, Tartan 27 2, Watkins 27

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
27.0 ft
Cascade 27
27.0 ft
Tartan 27 2
27.0 ft
Watkins 27
27.0 ft
LWL
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
21.3 ft
Cascade 27
21.5 ft
Tartan 27 2
21.4 ft
Watkins 27
23.7 ft
Beam
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
9.3 ft
Cascade 27
8.8 ft
Tartan 27 2
8.6 ft
Watkins 27
10.0 ft
Displacement
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
7 lbs
Cascade 27
6 lbs
Tartan 27 2
7 lbs
Watkins 27
7 lbs
Ballast
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
3 lbs
Cascade 27
2 lbs
Tartan 27 2
2 lbs
Watkins 27
3 lbs
Sail Area
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
Cascade 27
348 sq ft
Tartan 27 2
413 sq ft
Watkins 27
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
Cascade 27
215 s/nm
Tartan 27 2
234 s/nm
Watkins 27
234 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
Cascade 27
16.2
Tartan 27 2
17.5
Watkins 27
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
42.5 %
Cascade 27
35.6 %
Tartan 27 2
Watkins 27
46.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
Cascade 27
23.5
Tartan 27 2
28.1
Watkins 27
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
Cascade 27
1.91
Tartan 27 2
1.77
Watkins 27
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
339
Cascade 27
287
Tartan 27 2
Watkins 27
252
Hull Speed
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
Cascade 27
6.2 kts
Tartan 27 2
6.2 kts
Watkins 27
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hughes Columbia 27 ★
Cascade 27
1.8
Tartan 27 2
1.4
Watkins 27
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