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Tanzer 27
Designer: C. Raymond Hunt  ·  Builder: Tanzer Industries Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Tanzer 27

Produced by Tanzer Industries in Quebec, Canada, the Tanzer 27 is a capable and well-regarded fiberglass sloop that earned a loyal following among recreational sailors across North America. Designed with accessibility in mind, this boat strikes a practical balance between comfortable cruising and spirited weekend sailing, making it a popular choice for those exploring coastal waters and inland lakes alike. The Tanzer line built its reputation on solid construction, sensible layouts, and reliable performance — qualities that carry through to the 27. Her hull is designed to offer stable, predictable handling, which appeals to both developing sailors and experienced hands looking for a low-stress coastal cruiser. Cockpit space and below-deck accommodations are generally well-suited for day sails and short overnight passages, making her a versatile companion for a range of sailing activities. As with many boats from established Canadian builders of her era, the Tanzer 27 benefits from a strong owners community and reasonably good parts and rigging support. For buyers seeking an approachable, well-built cruiser with a proven track record, she remains a worthwhile option worth researching further.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.58 ft / 8.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.50 ft / 6.86 m
Beam 9.50 ft / 2.90 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 6,200.00 lb / 2,812 kg
Ballast 2,250.00 lb / 1,021 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer C. Raymond Hunt
Builder Tanzer Industries Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1982
Related Sailboats ["Cal 2 27" · "Tanzer 26" · "Ericson 27" · "Cc 27 Mk V" · "S2 27"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For
Medium Hull/Deck
The deck-to-hull joint on Tanzer 27s is an outward-flanged design secured with through-bolts and sealant. This joint is prone to weeping leaks, particularly along the toerail, which can allow water into the balsa-cored deck sections and cause core rot.
High Hull/Deck
Tanzer used balsa core in the deck construction, and hardware installations (stanchion bases, cleats, winch pads) that were not properly backed or sealed have allowed water infiltration leading to soft spots and delaminated core, especially around the cockpit coaming and side decks.
High Keel
The fin keel on the Tanzer 27 is encapsulated lead or cast iron depending on production run, and the keel-to-hull joint is known to develop stress cracking at the fillet. Inspect carefully for any movement, cracking, or weeping rust stains indicating water intrusion around the keel stub.
Medium Hull/Deck
The transom-hung rudder pintles and gudgeons, being exposed hardware on an aluminum or bronze fitting, are subject to corrosion and wear. Slop in the rudder hangings is common on older examples and can indicate worn or corroded pintles requiring replacement.
Medium Accommodations
The chainplates on the Tanzer 27 are interior-mounted and pass through the deck with minimal bedding. Leaks at the chainplate deck penetrations are a chronic issue and frequently lead to staining, soft wood backing plates, and potential hidden rot in the liner beneath.
High Rigging
The chainplate backing structure relies on tabbed-in fiberglass knees rather than through-bolted structural members. On older boats these tabbed connections can delaminate from the hull liner, compromising rig support — inspect by removing interior trim panels at the chainplate locations.
Medium Hull/Deck
Tanzer Industries used a relatively thin hull laminate schedule on the 27, and the mast compression post area beneath the keel stepped mast should be inspected for cracking, deflection, or soft laminate from years of compression loading.

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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
 216
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
 36.29
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
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. 4.58 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 15.17
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.85 ft / 3.61 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 319.00 ft² / 29.64 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 242.99
How It Compares

vs. Cc 27 Mk V, Ericson 27, Tanzer 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tanzer 27 ★
26.6 ft
Cc 27 Mk V
26.5 ft
Ericson 27
26.8 ft
Tanzer 26
26.3 ft
LWL
Tanzer 27 ★
22.5 ft
Cc 27 Mk V
23.0 ft
Ericson 27
20.5 ft
Tanzer 26
22.5 ft
Beam
Tanzer 27 ★
9.5 ft
Cc 27 Mk V
9.3 ft
Ericson 27
9.0 ft
Tanzer 26
8.7 ft
Displacement
Tanzer 27 ★
6 lbs
Cc 27 Mk V
4 lbs
Ericson 27
6 lbs
Tanzer 26
4 lbs
Ballast
Tanzer 27 ★
2 lbs
Cc 27 Mk V
1 lbs
Ericson 27
2 lbs
Tanzer 26
1 lbs
Sail Area
Tanzer 27 ★
—
Cc 27 Mk V
342 sq ft
Ericson 27
323 sq ft
Tanzer 26
282 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Tanzer 27 ★
216 s/nm
Cc 27 Mk V
—
Ericson 27
207 s/nm
Tanzer 26
216 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tanzer 27 ★
—
Cc 27 Mk V
20.4
Ericson 27
14.7
Tanzer 26
17.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Tanzer 27 ★
36.3 %
Cc 27 Mk V
38.8 %
Ericson 27
43.9 %
Tanzer 26
44.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tanzer 27 ★
—
Cc 27 Mk V
14.7
Ericson 27
24.4
Tanzer 26
16.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tanzer 27 ★
—
Cc 27 Mk V
2.26
Ericson 27
1.92
Tanzer 26
2.13
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Tanzer 27 ★
242
Cc 27 Mk V
162
Ericson 27
342
Tanzer 26
170
Hull Speed
Tanzer 27 ★
—
Cc 27 Mk V
6.4 kts
Ericson 27
6.1 kts
Tanzer 26
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Tanzer 27 ★
—
Cc 27 Mk V
3.6
Ericson 27
1.3
Tanzer 26
3.1
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