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Lm 27
Designer: Palle Mortensen  ·  Builder: Lm Glasfiber A/S (Den)  ·  First built: 1972
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Lm 27
Photo: Ein Dahmer / CC BY-SA 4.0
About the Lm 27

Danish designer Palle Mortensen created a thoroughly seaworthy coastal cruiser when he penned the Lm 27 for Lm Glasfiber in the early 1970s. This masthead sloop exemplifies the solid European approach to small boat design, featuring a traditional long keel configuration that provides excellent tracking and seakeeping abilities at the expense of some maneuverability in tight quarters. Built from 1972 to 1986 with 1,535 hulls launched, the Lm 27 earned a reputation as a capable offshore boat despite its modest 27-foot length. The substantial displacement of 8,818 pounds and generous ballast ratio create a stiff, stable platform that inspires confidence in heavy weather. Her comfort ratio of 29.68 indicates excellent motion characteristics for extended passages, while the conservative capsize screening formula of 1.75 reflects good stability margins for serious coastal and offshore work. The 323-square-foot sail plan provides adequate power for her displacement, though performance-oriented sailors may find her more suited to comfortable passage-making than spirited sailing. With her long keel and substantial construction, this Danish design appeals to cruising sailors who prioritize seaworthiness and comfort over speed, making her an excellent choice for couples seeking a proven small cruiser for coastal exploration and weekend getaways.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.39 ft / 8.35 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.29 ft / 7.10 m
Beam 9.02 ft / 2.75 m
Max Draft 3.12 ft / 0.95 m
Displacement 8,818.00 lb / 4,000 kg
Ballast 3,968.00 lb / 1,800 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 323.00 ft² / 30.01 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Palle Mortensen
Builder LM Glasfiber A/S (DEN)
First Built 1972
Last Built 1986
Number Built 1535
Related Sailboats Contessa 27 · Cape Dory 270 · Contest 27 · Morgan 27 · Cal 27
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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
12.15
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
45
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
311.61
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
29.68
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
1.75
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. 6.47 kn
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. 750.62 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Bukh
Engine Model DV20ME
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 20
Fuel Capacity 32 gals / 121 L
Water Capacity 32 gals / 121 L
How It Compares

vs. Cal 27, Cape Dory 270, Contessa 27, Contest 27, Morgan 27

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Lm 27 ★
27.4 ft
Cal 27
27.3 ft
Cape Dory 270
27.3 ft
Contessa 27
27.5 ft
Contest 27
27.3 ft
Morgan 27
27.5 ft
LWL
Lm 27 ★
23.3 ft
Cal 27
22.3 ft
Cape Dory 270
20.8 ft
Contessa 27
23.5 ft
Contest 27
21.7 ft
Morgan 27
25.0 ft
Beam
Lm 27 ★
9.0 ft
Cal 27
9.0 ft
Cape Dory 270
9.4 ft
Contessa 27
10.0 ft
Contest 27
8.9 ft
Morgan 27
9.8 ft
Displacement
Lm 27 ★
8 lbs
Cal 27
5 lbs
Cape Dory 270
8 lbs
Contessa 27
5 lbs
Contest 27
5 lbs
Morgan 27
7 lbs
Ballast
Lm 27 ★
3 lbs
Cal 27
2 lbs
Cape Dory 270
3 lbs
Contessa 27
2 lbs
Contest 27
2 lbs
Morgan 27
3 lbs
Sail Area
Lm 27 ★
323 sq ft
Cal 27
Cape Dory 270
398 sq ft
Contessa 27
413 sq ft
Contest 27
Morgan 27
373 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Lm 27 ★
Cal 27
198 s/nm
Cape Dory 270
219 s/nm
Contessa 27
Contest 27
228 s/nm
Morgan 27
174 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Lm 27 ★
12.2
Cal 27
Cape Dory 270
15.5
Contessa 27
20.7
Contest 27
Morgan 27
16.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Lm 27 ★
45.0 %
Cal 27
50.5 %
Cape Dory 270
Contessa 27
45.4 %
Contest 27
46.8 %
Morgan 27
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Lm 27 ★
29.7
Cal 27
Cape Dory 270
28.8
Contessa 27
16.8
Contest 27
Morgan 27
20.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Lm 27 ★
1.75
Cal 27
Cape Dory 270
1.86
Contessa 27
2.24
Contest 27
Morgan 27
2.06
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Lm 27 ★
311
Cal 27
216
Cape Dory 270
Contessa 27
197
Contest 27
227
Morgan 27
Hull Speed
Lm 27 ★
6.5 kts
Cal 27
Cape Dory 270
6.1 kts
Contessa 27
6.5 kts
Contest 27
Morgan 27
6.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Lm 27 ★
Cal 27
Cape Dory 270
1.0
Contessa 27
Contest 27
Morgan 27
2.6
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