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Show 27
Designer: Delio Barberis/Lanfranco Soma  ·  Builder: Cantieri Barberis  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Show 27

Produced by Show Boats International, the Show 27 is a compact cruiser-racer that reflects the design sensibilities of its era, offering sailors a versatile platform suited to both weekend coastal adventures and competitive club racing. With its manageable size, the Show 27 appeals to sailors looking for an entry point into keelboat ownership without sacrificing the satisfaction of genuine performance on the water. Though detailed specifications are limited, the Show 27's reputation suggests a hull designed with a balance of stability and responsiveness in mind, making it approachable for less experienced sailors while still rewarding those with refined helming skills. Its proportions lend themselves well to daysailing and short coastal passages, and the boat has found a following among budget-conscious sailors who appreciate a capable, no-frills package. For anyone researching an affordable and practical sailboat for inshore or near-coastal use, the Show 27 represents a worthy consideration. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek out owner communities and class associations, where firsthand accounts and accumulated knowledge can offer valuable insight beyond what factory documentation alone provides.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 9.67 ft / 2.95 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Ballast 1,433.00 lb / 650 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 298.00 ft² / 27.69 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Delio Barberis/Lanfranco Soma
Builder Cantieri Barberis
First Built 1978
Related Sailboats ["Contessa 27" · "Cal 27" · "J27" · "Mirage 275" · "Cc 27 Mk Ii"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 192
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
 18.97
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
 12.73
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
 2.44
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. 6.29
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
 3.29
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. 760.14
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 31.04
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.33
P (Mainsail Luff) 27.16
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.35
SA Fore 160.32
SA Main 126.97
How It Compares

vs. Cal 27, J27, Mirage 275

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Show 27 ★
27.5 ft
Cal 27
27.3 ft
J27
27.5 ft
Mirage 275
27.5 ft
LWL
Show 27 ★
22.0 ft
Cal 27
22.3 ft
J27
23.0 ft
Mirage 275
22.5 ft
Beam
Show 27 ★
9.7 ft
Cal 27
9.0 ft
J27
8.5 ft
Mirage 275
9.8 ft
Displacement
Show 27 ★
4 lbs
Cal 27
5 lbs
J27
3 lbs
Mirage 275
6 lbs
Ballast
Show 27 ★
1 lbs
Cal 27
2 lbs
J27
1 lbs
Mirage 275
2 lbs
Sail Area
Show 27 ★
298 sq ft
Cal 27
—
J27
364 sq ft
Mirage 275
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Show 27 ★
192 s/nm
Cal 27
198 s/nm
J27
—
Mirage 275
201 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Show 27 ★
19.0
Cal 27
—
J27
24.0
Mirage 275
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Show 27 ★
—
Cal 27
50.5 %
J27
—
Mirage 275
35.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Show 27 ★
12.7
Cal 27
—
J27
13.9
Mirage 275
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Show 27 ★
2.44
Cal 27
—
J27
2.18
Mirage 275
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Show 27 ★
—
Cal 27
216
J27
—
Mirage 275
266
Hull Speed
Show 27 ★
6.3 kts
Cal 27
—
J27
6.4 kts
Mirage 275
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Show 27 ★
3.3
Cal 27
—
J27
4.5
Mirage 275
—
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