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Ultimate 27
Designer: Jim Antrim  ·  Builder: Ultimate Sailboats (Usa)  ·  First built: 1996
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About the Ultimate 27

Designed by Jim Antrim and first launched in 1996, this 28-foot sailboat represents an intriguing blend of performance and versatility through its innovative lifting keel configuration. The Ultimate 27's unique keel system allows sailors to reduce draft from 6 feet to approximately 3 feet, opening up shallow anchorages and launching ramp access while maintaining excellent upwind performance in deeper waters. With its fractional sloop rig and relatively light 2,600-pound displacement, this fiberglass cruiser delivers spirited sailing characteristics that appeal to performance-oriented sailors. The high sail area to displacement ratio of 41.48 indicates strong light-air performance, while the substantial ballast ratio provides reassuring stability. The boat's 23.75-foot waterline length contributes to a respectable hull speed of 6.53 knots. The Ultimate 27 excels in coastal cruising and club racing scenarios where versatility matters most. Its lifting keel makes it particularly attractive for sailors who trailer their boats or explore shallow coastal waters. The low comfort ratio of 8.31 suggests a more spartan interior focused on sailing performance rather than extended cruising amenities, while the capsize screening value of 2.69 indicates good stability characteristics for protected waters sailing.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.83 ft / 8.48 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.75 ft / 7.24 m
Beam 9.25 ft / 2.82 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Min Draft 3.33 ft / 1.01 m
Displacement 2,600.00 lb / 1,179 kg
Ballast 1,050.00 lb / 476 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 489.00 ft² / 45.43 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Jim Antrim
Builder Ultimate Sailboats (USA)
First Built 1996
Associations Ultimate 27
Owner Reviews

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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
 41.48
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
 40.38
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
 86.64
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
 8.31
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
 2.69
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. 6.53 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. 784.97 pounds/inch
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