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Jaguar 27
Designer: Frank Butler/ Bob Finch  ·  Builder: Eric Birch Yachts (Uk)  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Jaguar 27

Designed by the collaborative team of Frank Butler and Bob Finch, this British-built sailboat emerged from Eric Birch Yachts in 1971 as a well-balanced coastal cruiser. With its masthead sloop rig and moderate fin keel configuration, the Jaguar 27 strikes an appealing balance between performance and comfort for sailors seeking weekend adventures and extended coastal passages. The boat's proportions reveal thoughtful design decisions, featuring a waterline length of 21.75 feet that contributes to a respectable hull speed of 6.25 knots. The substantial displacement of 6,850 pounds, combined with 2,700 pounds of ballast, creates a stable platform that inspires confidence in varied conditions. This weight distribution results in a comfort ratio of 24.88, indicating good seaworthiness for coastal and near-offshore sailing. The fiberglass construction typical of early 1970s British boatbuilding provides durability, while the sail area to displacement ratio of 13.62 suggests moderate sailing performance with manageable sail handling. The capsize screening formula of 1.87 falls within acceptable ranges for coastal cruising, making this an attractive option for sailors prioritizing safety and comfort over pure speed. The Jaguar 27 represents solid British yacht design from an era when builders emphasized seaworthiness and traditional sailing qualities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.83 ft / 8.18 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.75 ft / 6.63 m
Beam 8.86 ft / 2.70 m
Max Draft 4.33 ft / 1.32 m
Displacement 6,850.00 lb / 3,107 kg
Ballast 2,700.00 lb / 1,225 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 306.00 ft² / 28.43 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Frank Butler/ Bob Finch
Builder Eric Birch Yachts (UK)
First Built 1971
Associations Jaguar Owners Association (UK)
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
 13.62
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
 39.42
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
 297.21
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
 24.88
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
 1.87
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. 6.25 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
 1.64
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. 688.56 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. 15.38
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 34.50 ft / 10.52 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.30 ft / 3.44 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 28.70 ft / 8.75 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
SA Fore 194.93 ft² / 18.11 m²
SA Main 150.68 ft² / 14.00 m²
SA Total (100%) 345.61 ft² / 32.11 m²
Est. Forestay Length 36.30 ft / 11.06 m
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