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Varne 27
Designer: Duncan Stuart  ·  Builder: Varne Marine Ltd. (Uk)  ·  First built: 1974
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About the Varne 27

Designed as a compact and capable cruising yacht, the Varne 27 is a British sailboat that earned a modest following among sailors seeking an affordable and manageable vessel for coastal and inshore sailing. Built with practicality in mind, she offers a comfortable introduction to keelboat sailing without overwhelming her skipper with complexity. Like many production cruisers of her era, the Varne 27 was intended to balance seaworthy performance with the demands of weekend and short-passage sailing. Her proportions suggest a boat well-suited to pottering along coastlines, exploring harbours, and tackling the occasionally lively conditions found in UK and Northern European waters. She is unlikely to be the choice of an offshore passage-maker, but for the coastal cruiser looking for a characterful and manageable yacht, she holds genuine appeal. Detailed specifications for the Varne 27 are scarce, which can make pre-purchase research a challenge. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek out class associations, owner forums, and in-person inspections to build a fuller picture of individual examples and their condition.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.75 ft / 8.46 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 4.25 ft / 1.30 m
Displacement 6,200.00 lb / 2,812 kg
Ballast 2,595.00 lb / 1,177 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Duncan Stuart
Builder Varne Marine Ltd. (UK)
First Built 1974
Number Built 70
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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
41.85
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
298.87
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. 4.05 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.36
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.02 ft / 3.36 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 344.00 ft² / 31.96 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Farymann
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 12
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