Back to Search
Parker 27
Designer: Ron Holland  ·  Builder: Parker Yachts (Uk)  ·  First built: 1987
+ Add to Compare
About the Parker 27

Designed by renowned naval architect Ron Holland, this British-built yacht represents a sophisticated approach to compact coastal cruising. The Parker 27's most distinctive feature is its lifting keel configuration, which reduces draft from 5.25 feet to allow exploration of shallow waters and trailer transport—a relatively uncommon feature for boats of this era and size. Built by Parker Yachts between 1987 and 1990, only 28 examples were produced, making this a rare find on the used boat market. The fractional sloop rig and moderate displacement of 5,000 pounds create a balanced platform that should handle coastal waters with confidence while remaining manageable for smaller crews. With 44% of displacement in ballast, the boat offers good stability characteristics. Holland's design philosophy emphasized performance without sacrificing practicality, evident in the boat's respectable sail area and clean lines. The lifting keel system opens up gunk-holing possibilities typically reserved for centerboard designs, while maintaining the structural integrity of a more traditional keel configuration. This makes the Parker 27 particularly appealing for sailors seeking versatility in their cruising grounds, from deeper coastal waters to shallow anchorages and harbors with limited depth.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
Beam 9.25 ft / 2.82 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Min Draft 1.25 ft / 0.38 m
Displacement 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Ballast 2,200.00 lb / 998 kg
Ballast Type Cast iron
Sail Area (Reported) 375.00 ft² / 34.84 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction GRP
Designer Ron Holland
Builder Parker Yachts (UK)
First Built 1987
Last Built 1990
Number Built 28
Associations Parker & Seal Sailing Association
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
 20.58
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
 44
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
 161.47
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
 16.03
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
 2.17
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. 6.56 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. 793.23 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 18 gals / 68 L
Find a Parker 27 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace