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Sun 27
Designer: Monk/Perry  ·  Builder: Sun Yachts  ·  First built: 1977
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About the Sun 27

Built during a brief but productive four-year run from 1977 to 1980, this compact cruiser represents a collaboration between renowned designers Edwin Monk and Robert Perry for Sun Yachts. With only 155 hulls produced, the Sun 27 has earned recognition as a well-balanced coastal cruiser that punches above its weight class. The design showcases classic late-1970s thinking with its fin keel and spade rudder configuration, delivering responsive handling and respectable sailing performance. The boat's moderate displacement of 6,200 pounds, combined with 2,300 pounds of ballast, creates a stable platform that inspires confidence in a variety of conditions. Her 340 square feet of sail area provides adequate power for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. The Sun 27's comfortable motion at sea stems from her sensible proportions and the designers' attention to seaworthiness. The hull's 22.50-foot waterline generates a theoretical hull speed of 6.36 knots, making her capable of respectable passage times under sail. Her masthead sloop rig keeps sail handling straightforward, while the fiberglass construction ensures durability and low maintenance. This boat suits sailors seeking a capable coastal cruiser for weekend getaways, small crew adventures, or as an entry point into serious sailing without overwhelming complexity.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.50 ft / 6.86 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 4.33 ft / 1.32 m
Displacement 6,200.00 lb / 2,812 kg
Ballast 2,300.00 lb / 1,043 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 340.00 ft² / 31.59 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Monk/Perry
Builder Sun Yachts
First Built 1977
Last Built 1980
Number Built 155
Owner Reviews

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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
 212
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
 16.17
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
 37.1
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
 242.99
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
 21.39
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
 1.96
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. 6.36 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
 2.15
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. 723.55 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. 16.06
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 33.83 ft / 10.31 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.91 ft / 3.63 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 27.25 ft / 8.31 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
SA Fore 201.46 ft² / 18.72 m²
SA Main 136.25 ft² / 12.66 m²
SA Total (100%) 337.71 ft² / 31.37 m²
Est. Forestay Length 35.87 ft / 10.93 m
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 15 gals / 57 L
Water Capacity 16 gals / 61 L
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