The Hunter 27 2 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
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 22.4′, the Hunter 27 2 tops out around 6.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.4′ LWL = 6.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
218s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
SA / Displacement
15.3
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
198
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
17.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.11
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
16.9
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
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
17.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.11
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Hunter 27 2 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Starwind 27
186s/nm
Tanzer 27
216s/nm
Hunter 27 2
218s/nm
Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.
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° |
2.4 |
3.0 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.6 |
5.0 |
| Run150–180° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.3 kts),
SA/D (15.3), 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 Hunter 27 2 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Hunter 27 2.
|
Hunter 27 2 |
Cal 3 27 |
Hunter 265 |
S2 27 |
Starwind 27 |
Tanzer 27 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
26.6 |
26.7 |
26.6 |
26.6 |
26.7 |
26.6 |
| LWL |
22.4 |
23.3 |
22.4 |
23.3 |
22.5 |
22.5 |
| Beam |
9.5 |
9.0 |
9.0 |
9.3 |
9.7 |
9.5 |
| Displacement |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
280 |
336 |
304 |
350 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
218 |
— |
— |
— |
186 |
216 |
| SA/Disp |
15.3 |
18.0 |
18.2 |
19.2 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
40.0 |
38.5 |
40.9 |
40.0 |
38.5 |
36.3 |
| Comfort |
17.5 |
17.7 |
15.4 |
16.4 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
2.11 |
2.08 |
2.20 |
2.17 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.3 |
6.5 |
6.3 |
6.5 |
— |
— |