jaguar 27 sailboat data

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Bluewater Sailboat – Catalina 27

Also called: jaguar 27.

The Bluewater Sailboat Catalina 27 has been a fan favorite since its introduction in 1971, and its financial success has resulted in one of the longest and greatest production runs of its era, spanning 22 years and 6,600 boats. She was always intended to be economical (some have even stated cheap) for weekend getaways, club racing, and coastal cruising – offshore work was always out of the purview of the design. Despite this, at least one circumnavigation has been completed, indicating that with the proper planning and expertise, this vessel can be an ocean journey maker.

This Bluewater Sailboat was chosen for its popularity rather than its inherent seaworthiness.

• LOA: 26′ 10″
• LWL: 21′ 9″
• Beam: 8′ 6″
• Draft, Standard: 4′ 0″
• Draft, Shoal Keel: 3′ 5″
• Displacement, Standard: 6,850 lbs.
• Displacement, Shoal Keel: 7,300 lbs.
• Ballast, Standard: 2,700 lbs.
• Ballast, Shoal Keel: 3,150 lbs.
• Sail Area, Standard: 340 sq. ft.
• Sail Area, Tall Rig: 364 sq. ft.
• Bridge Clearance, Standard: 38’3″
• Bridge Clearance, Tall Rig: 41′ 0″
• Headroom: 6’ 1″
• Engine: Atomic 4 Inboard / Outboard, Various
• Fuel: 15-20 US. Gal.
• Water: 18 US. Gal.
• Designer: Robert Finch / Frank Butler
• Builder, United States: Catalina Yachts, California
• Builder, Canada: Cooper Enterprises, British Columbia
• Builder, United Kingdom: Eric Birch, Essex / Russell Marine, Essex
• Year Introduced: 1971
• Year Ended: 1991
• Total Built: 6662

Robert Finch and Frank Butler, the founder of Catalina Yachts, collaborated on the design of the Catalina 27 in 1970. Butler manufactured an astonishing number of 27s at his boat factory in Southern California, employing modern boatbuilding techniques that are not dissimilar to those used today. The first models were produced in 1971. She had an exceptionally roomy cabin and was reasonably priced at a time when cruising sailboats were popular. These qualities contributed to the boat’s instant success; in fact, 1,500 boats were produced in the first three years, or 10 each week.

Early variants were only available with outboard engines; in 1973, an inboard Atomic 4 engine was added, which was then expanded to various engine variations in subsequent years. In 1989, the outboard engine option was taken out. In 1979, a shoal draught winged-keel version was created for shallow waters. There was also a version with a taller, more efficient, high aspect ratio rig that added 24 sq.ft. of canvas that was popular among club racers.

Production has also moved to Canada and the United Kingdom. Cooper Enterprises, one of the major Canadian boatbuilders at the time, produced well over a thousand boats under licence for the Canadian domestic market, and they are still a familiar sight on BC waterways today. While in the UK, the boat was constructed under licence under the brand name Jaguar since 1971 for the UK and European markets. Eric Birch Yachts (from 1971) and Russell Marine (from 1975) built them in Essex, with the hulls manufactured by Seamaster Boats.

In 1979, Patrick Childress, then 28, set off in his shoal draught Catalina 27, Juggernaut, on a three-year solo circumnavigation that included a 6400-mile, 53-day transit through the Indian Ocean.

Production ended in 1991, after an unparalleled 22-year run that resulted in 6,600 boats. Catalina succeeded the long-lasting design with the Catalina 270, an all-new water-ballasted and trailerable weekender.

The construction of this Bluewater Sailboat is quite light. The hull is made of solid fiberglass and is much thinner than conventional offshore counterparts, especially above the waterline, where mild impacts that would ordinarily result in only a scratch might cause fractures for the Catalina 27. As a cost-cutting strategy, early boats lacked sufficient support plates on deck fittings, stanchions, and rails, resulting in cracked gelcoat and, in some cases, fiberglass delamination. This was corrected in subsequent boats.

The Catalina 27 is a fin-keeler with a raked spade rudder hanging as far aft as practicable, propelled by a tall and efficient masthead sloop rig. The hull form is shallow and beamy, which is good for initial wind rigidity but limits liveable volume below the waterline. Butler compensated by designing deep topsides and a high cabin top while making the design visually appealing. As a result, this 27-footer has class-leading internal headroom and spaciousness.

Below deck, this boat is best described as light and spacious; it provides so much space that many people are ready to overlook her defects. The companionway and hatch are large, which creates a water intrusion concern at sea but gives the cabin a vast feel while at anchor. The typical aft-galley configuration has accommodations for six people – two in the forepeak and the port side settee will really only suit kids or extremely short adults, while the starboard settee transforms to a compact double berth and there’s a starboard seagoing quarterberth. The galley, with its two-burner stove, is positioned on port below the companionway, while the head is located on starboard just aft of the forepeak and is reasonably sized. A locker is located opposite the head, but as is usual of boats of this size, locker, and stowage space is limited.

Performance

The helm has a light feel to it, and she sails responsively, or, to quote the always amusing John Vigor in 20 Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere, she handles like a dinghy, which is barely unexpected given what she is essential – a dinghy with grandeur. She is relatively stiff and does a good job of holding her canvas in a breeze. All of this adds up to a speedy, maneuverable boat. The disadvantage is the lack of seaworthiness. Vigor suggests keeping her cruising weight low for the best performance, as less weight means less stress on the rig and hull at sea.

It’s worth noting that the Catalina 27 is a beamy yacht with a proclivity for weather helm at higher angles of heel, which will need reefing the mainsail to maintain balance.

Quick Notes

There were over 6,600 Catalina 27s produced, so there are plenty to pick from. If you’re looking for a boat to sail in safe coastal waters at a reasonable price, she’s a good option. Do your homework and make sure you’ve modified your boat in accordance with recommendations. The most important is probably enlarging the cockpit drains, reworking the companionway hatch area to help direct water into the cockpit, and upgrading the rigging, including chainplates for the aft lower shrouds.

The following are some of the boat’s recognized flaws:

• As previously stated, early boats lacked supporting plates on hardware, resulting in fractures in the gelcoat and, in some cases, GRP delamination.
• Through-hull fittings were inadequately fitted, and secondary bondings of connectors were inadequate in several circumstances.
• Leaky chain plates have caused bulkheads to degrade, raising the risk of rig failure.
• Early inboard models had inferior fuel tank installations.
• The original spreader sockets were cast aluminium, which cracked when overstressed.
• Early through-hull fittings were merely pipe nipples glassed into the hull and will need to be replaced with suitable flanged, bolt-through bronze fittings.
• While heeled, some people have experienced seawater running back into the icebox through the drain. Install an appropriate seacock in the through-hull.

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• Sailboat Guide

Catalina 27

Catalina 27 is a 26 ′ 10 ″ / 8.2 m monohull sailboat designed by Robert Finch and Frank V. Butler and built by Cooper Enterprises Inc., Russell Marine, Essex, Catalina Yachts, and Eric Birch, Essex between 1971 and 1991.

• 3 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 4 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 5 / 57 Northbridge, MA, US 1976 Catalina 27 $4,500 USD View
• 6 / 57 Somers, MT, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 7 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 8 / 57 Dillon, CO, US 1984 Catalina 27 $13,000 USD View
• 9 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 10 / 57 Northbridge, MA, US 1976 Catalina 27 $4,500 USD View
• 11 / 57 Somers, MT, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 12 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 13 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 14 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 15 / 57 Northbridge, MA, US 1976 Catalina 27 $4,500 USD View
• 16 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 17 / 57 Dillon, CO, US 1984 Catalina 27 $13,000 USD View
• 18 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 19 / 57 Northbridge, MA, US 1976 Catalina 27 $4,500 USD View
• 20 / 57 Somers, MT, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 21 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 22 / 57 Dillon, CO, US 1984 Catalina 27 $13,000 USD View
• 23 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 24 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 25 / 57 Somers, MT, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 26 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 27 / 57 Dillon, CO, US 1984 Catalina 27 $13,000 USD View
• 28 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 29 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 30 / 57 Northbridge, MA, US 1976 Catalina 27 $4,500 USD View
• 31 / 57 Somers, MT, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 32 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 33 / 57 Dillon, CO, US 1984 Catalina 27 $13,000 USD View
• 34 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 35 / 57 Northbridge, MA, US 1976 Catalina 27 $4,500 USD View
• 36 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 37 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 38 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 39 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 40 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 41 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 42 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 43 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 44 / 57 Oxnard, CA, US 1973 Catalina 27 $15,900 USD View
• 45 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 46 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 47 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 48 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 49 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 50 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 51 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 52 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 53 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 54 / 57 Clear Lake Shores, TX, US 1985 Catalina 27 $7,500 USD View
• 55 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 56 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View
• 57 / 57 Chicago, IL, US 1990 Catalina 27 $16,000 USD View

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

From BlueWaterBoats.org :

Launched in 1971, the Catalina 27 has been a popular favourite, enjoying the kind of commercial success that’s led to one of the longest and largest production runs of its era spanning 22 years and 6,600 boats. From the outset she was designed to be affordable (some have even said cheap) for weekend excursions, club racing and coastal cruising – offshore work was always outside of the design scope. Yet despite this there has been at least one circumnavigation demonstrating that this vessel, with the right preparation and skills, can be an ocean passage maker. We’ve included this boat here more for its popularity than its inherent seaworthiness.

The Catalina 27 was conceived in a 1970 design partnership between Robert Finch, and the founder of Catalina Yachts, Frank Butler. Butler built an incredible number of 27s at his boat factory in Southern California using modern boatbuilding processes that are not too different to methods employed today. Initial production started in 1971. She had a incredibly spacious interior and she was affordably priced at a time when cruising sailboats had captured the public imagination. These factors helped the boat find immediate success, in fact in the first three years 1,500 boats popped off the production line – that’s ten per week.

Early models were only available with outboard engines, an inboard option of an Atomic 4 engine was added in 1973, which later expanded to other engine varieties in successive years. The outboard engine option was later phased out in 1989. For shallow waters, a shoal draft winged-keel version was introduced in 1979. And popular among club racers, there was a version with a taller, more efficient, high aspect ratio rig which added 24 sq.ft. of canvas.

Production spread also to Canada and the UK. Cooper Enterprises in British Columbia, at the time one of the largest Canadian boatbuilders, produced well over a thousand boats under license for the Canadian domestic market and are a common sight around BC waterways today. While across the pond in the UK, the boat was built under license from as early as 1971 under the brand name Jaguar for UK and European markets. These were produced in Essex by Eric Birch Yachts (from 1971) and Russell Marine (from 1975) with the hulls molded by Seamaster Boats.

In 1979 a young 28 year old Patrick Childress set off in his shoal draft Catalina 27, Juggernaut , on a successful 3 year single-handed circumnavigation which included a 6400-mile, 53-day passage of the Indian Ocean.

After an unprecedented 22 years of production resulting in 6,600 boats, production finally ceased in 1991. Catalina succeeded the long lasting design with an all-new water-ballasted and trailerable weekender, the Catalina 270.

Configuration

The Catalina 27 is a fin-keeler with a raked spade rudder hanging about as far aft as possible, pushed along by a masthead sloop rig that’s tall and efficient. The hull shape is shallow and beamy which is great for initial stiffness to the wind but reduces liveable volume below the waterline. Butler made up for this by drawing deep topsides and a high cabin top all while keeping the design sleek to the eye. The result gives this 27-footer class leading interior headroom and space.

Below deck can best be described as light and spacious, this boat offers so much accommodation that many are willing to forgo her flaws. The companionway and hatch is wide which poses a water ingress hazard at sea but is responsible for her spacious feel in the cabin while at anchor. There’s technically berths for six in the standard aft-galley layout – two in the forepeak and the port side settee will really only fit kids or very short adults, while the starboard settee converts to a cozy double berth, and finally there’s a starboard seagoing quarterberth. The galley with its two burner stove is located on port below the companionway while the head is located just aft of the forepeak on starboard and is comfortably sized. Opposite the head is a locker, but note, as is typical of boats this size, locker and stowage space is in short supply.

Construction

Construction was pretty light. The hull is of solid fiberglass and much thinner than typical offshore counterparts, particularly above the waterline where small impacts that would normally lead to just a scratch may result in fractures for the Catalina 27. Early boats, as a cost cutting measure, lacked proper backing plates on deck hardware, stanchions, and rails, which lead to cracked gelcoat and in some cases fiberglass delamination. This was remedied in later boats.

The feel of the helm is very light and she sails responsively, or to quote the ever humorous John Vigor in 20 Small Sailboats to Take you Anywhere, “She handles like a dinghy, which is hardy surprising since that’s what she basically is – a dinghy with grandeur”. She is relatively stiff and holds her canvas well in a breeze. All this makes for a fast boat that’s easily controlled. The downside is seaworthiness. For best results Vigor recommends keeping her cruising weight down, as reduced weight will reduce stresses on the rig and hull at sea.

Note that the Catalina 27 is a beamy boat, and like others, there is a tendency for weather helm on greater angles of heel that will require either reefing the mainsail to maintain balance.

Buyers Notes

More than 6,600 Catalina 27s were made, so there’s plenty to choose from. If you’re on the hunt for a boat to sail protected coastal waters at a good price then she’s a good choice. For offshore work do your research and make sure you’ve modified your boat according to recommendations – probably the most important are enlarging the cockpit drains, reworking the companionway hatch area to help direct water into the cockpit, and uprated rigging including chainplates for the aft lower shrouds.

Some known weaknesses with this boat are listed below:

• As mentioned, early boats lacked backing plates on hardware, leading to cracks in the gelcoat and in some cases delamination of the GRP.
• Through-hull fittings were poorly installed and secondary bondings of attachments in some cases were poor.
• Leaky chain plates have caused bulkheads to deteriorate which in turn has increased the risk of rig failures.
• Fuel tank installations were poor on early inboard models.
• The original spreader sockets were made of cast aluminium which tended to crack when overstressed.
• Through-hull fittings in early boats were simply pipe nipples glassed into the hull and will need swapping out for proper flanged, bolt-through bronze fittings.
• While heeled, some have reported seawater back flowing into the icebox via the drain. Fit a proper seacock to the through-hull.

Links, References and Further Reading

» The Catalina 27/270 Owners Association » Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere by John Vigor, (Ch8, p45-52) an in depth look at the Catalina 27. ISBN:978-0939837328 » Used Boat Notebook, Catalina 27, review by John Kretschmer, SAILING Magazine, Nov 2002, volume 37, no. 3 » Jaguar Owners Association for European Catalinas under the brand name Jaguar » A biography of Forbes Cooper of Cooper Yachts who built the Canadian Catalina 27s » Cruising World Magazine’s article on Patrick Childress’ two circumnavigations , first in his Catalina 27 and then in his Valiant 40 two decades later.

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• Practical Boat Owner's Reader to Reader
• Thread starter loverobot
• Start date 4 May 2012

Could anyone give me opinions on the above as a first yacht for 2 people to sail - are they safe boats specifically? I ask because I am likely to be singl-handing or crewed by a novice 12 year old I am looking at a couple at the moment as a stopgap until my wife is ready to take the plunge properly and we buy something bigger in a year / two I know they are lighter built than the sadlers etc but my wife is unlikely to be sailing much (in the UK at least) for at least a year due to impending baby - she will come out but is realistic about this which is fair enough Also - can you lead the controls back to the cockpit? The couple I am looking at dont seem to have this - the winches are on the actual mast for the halyards etc - wondered if it would foul the larger than normal companionway hatch - and would it be v expensive to do this  

Active member

Sailing Holidays have used them since Noah was a lad so they can't be all bad. http://www.sailingholidays.com/ I had a Jauar 25 and would agree that they are not heavily built, but they are robust enough. If you are only keeping the boat a couple of years I don't see much point altering lots of things to suit you, but it's your choice. The 27 has better headroom than the 25 which is good. The sloping bulkhead is a pain, it rains in if the washboards are out so you really need a spray hood or close everything up when it's raining. I had other issues which were more related to learners in fluky/gusty winds on inland waters but hopefully they won't affect you. HTH  

I frequently sail my Jag 27 with a 12 year old crew - though he is 14 now. Main halyard, two reefing lines and down haul are lead aft, there is just enough room between the grab handle and the hatch sliders for two or three lines per side, though no room for a winch, but its not necessary. The only vice is that it will round up if over canvased and excessive heel.  

Have had a J27 for 14 years, only selling last autumn. These boats sail very well, & if (as any boat) it is well found/set up, is a comfortable and capable performer in a seaway. Ideal for a small family, and a great sub 30 foot cruiser that will go better than many of it's contemporaries. Whilst it's true that they were "thrown " together, CYB the builders being at the forefront of modular volume construction, the fact that so many survive speaks for itself. If it looks right, and the 27 does, then it probably is............  

Have sailed J27s with Sailing Holidays a few times and now own a J25 (which is very similar). I don't have vast experience with other boats, so cant give a valid comparison, but I sail my J25 single handed and would be happy to do so in a J27. I lead my lines back to the cockpit, it wasn't hard to do. If you're buying, the only unusual thing to watch-out for is the original ball-hed toilet. They aren't well liked these days, but you're pretty unlikely to come across one. (If you're unsure what kind you've got, look down the pan, if you can see out to the sea, it's a ball-hed.)  

Laurie said: Have had a J27 for 14 years, only selling last autumn. These boats sail very well, & if (as any boat) it is well found/set up, is a comfortable and capable performer in a seaway. Ideal for a small family, and a great sub 30 foot cruiser that will go better than many of it's contemporaries. Whilst it's true that they were "thrown " together, CYB the builders being at the forefront of modular volume construction, the fact that so many survive speaks for itself. If it looks right, and the 27 does, then it probably is............ Click to expand...

Wunja said: The only vice is that it will round up if over canvased and excessive heel. Click to expand...

• 19 Jul 2018

Sorry to reply to such an old post. However, I have just purchased a Jag 27 as my first sailing boat on the east coast and wondered if you could provide any info re trending issues to watch out for etc. 1974 fin keel. It's a beautiful example and has been well cared for but as a novice to owning a boat I was curious. Thanks in advance if I receive a reply Nick  

• 20 Jul 2018

Nick86 said: Sorry to reply to such an old post. However, I have just purchased a Jag 27 as my first sailing boat on the east coast and wondered if you could provide any info re trending issues to watch out for etc. 1974 fin keel. It's a beautiful example and has been well cared for but as a novice to owning a boat I was curious. Thanks in advance if I receive a reply Nick Click to expand...

Thanks Laurie. I've PM'd you (I think).  

simonfraser

Well-known member.

if you are thinking 'just' selling her in a few years time, make sure its is indeed easy to sell. some boat are tough to shift.  

Thanks Simon. This is a long term purchase so no intention of selling in the short term. You sound like someone coming from experience......  

simonfraser said: if you are thinking 'just' selling her in a few years time, make sure its is indeed easy to sell. some boat are tough to shift. Click to expand...

Nick86 said: Thanks Laurie. I've PM'd you (I think). Click to expand...

• 23 Jul 2018

armchairsailor

They're the most produced of any sailboat if I remember correctly, although mainly under the Catalina 27 guise. Pretty easy to handle. Might not have standing headroom if you're 5'11" or above. Must be relatively easy to sail if they got so many produced, quite quick, average build quality and basic accommodation I'd say. God starter boat - they were on my shortlist, but I ended up with something else (a Crown 28) instead as it was good for the price.  

armchairsailor said: They're the most produced of any sailboat if I remember correctly, although mainly under the Catalina 27 guise. Pretty easy to handle. Might not have standing headroom if you're 5'11" or above. Must be relatively easy to sail if they got so many produced, quite quick, average build quality and basic accommodation I'd say. God starter boat - they were on my shortlist, but I ended up with something else (a Crown 28) instead as it was good for the price. Click to expand...

• 24 Jul 2018

I have sailed my Jaguar 27 with a family of five for several seasons. She points well, has a balanced rig, feels very safe and is easy to handle. Good internal layout. A decent sized cockpit. Mine is the twin keeler. Decent keels so sails well but can also ghost up the Creek. Im not sure they were all as well founded as mine but Laurie owned Sunbird before me and all that love and knowledge still shows. Thanks Laurie.  

stu9000 said: I have sailed my Jaguar 27 with a family of five for several seasons. She points well, has a balanced rig, feels very safe and is easy to handle. Good internal layout. A decent sized cockpit. Mine is the twin keeler. Decent keels so sails well but can also ghost up the Creek. Im not sure they were all as well founded as mine but Laurie owned Sunbird before me and all that love and knowledge still shows. Thanks Laurie. Click to expand...

ghostlymoron

We had one on a sailing holidays flotilla. It was the first big boat we had ever sailed but found it easy and safe. We had no problems, a great holiday and were voted the most boring crew because of our lack of incidents (we took this as a compliment). Didn't like the dinette arrangement and bought a Mirage 28 soon after which is a much better boat with proper berths and headroom for not much more money.  

• 25 Jul 2018

dolabriform

armchairsailor said: They're the most produced of any sailboat if I remember correctly Click to expand...

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• By Bill Brockway
• Updated: February 8, 2002

The Rod Johnstone-designed J/27 was first introduced in 1983, and 211 hulls were built by 1992. This is one of the more affordable boats on our list, with an average price of $19,000. Racing it requires a crew of five to seven.

The J/27 sails to its rating best in light or heavy air and has some trouble competing in medium air, mostly because of the shorter waterline length. Some boats need simple upgrades to get ready for racing, such as new halyards, adjustable leads, and a new backstay. This is likely to cost approximately $2,500. A new suit of sails for a J/27 will be $7,500.

J/27 http://www.j27.org Typical monthly costs: $756 Annual budget range: $1,000 to $12,000 PHRF 17 to 129 LOA 27’6″ LWL 23′ Beam 8’6″ Draft 4’11” Disp. 3,800 lbs. SA 364 sq. ft.

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Review of Jaguar 27

Basic specs., sailing characteristics.

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Jaguar 27 is 2.00, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.1 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Jaguar 27 is about 115 kg/cm, alternatively 648 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 115 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 648 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?

Maintenance

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Jaguar 27 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

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Jaguar - Sailboat Data, Parts & Rigging

Sailboat data directory for sailboats manufacturer or named Jaguar. Follow the provided links for additional sailboat data, parts and rigging specs.

Sailboat Data directory for over 8,000 sailboat designs and manufacturers. Direct access to halyards lengths, recommended sail areas, mainsail cover styles, standing rigging fittings, and lots more for all cruising and racing sailboats.

MAURIPRO Sailing offers a full range of sailboat and sailing information to help you find the correct sailboat part, one that properly would fit your sailboat and sailing style. Our sailor's and sailboat owner support team are ready to talk with you about your specific sailing needs, coming regatta, or next sailing adventure.

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• Boat REF#  ·  71571
• Length  ·  8.17m
• Year  ·  1974
• Construction  ·  GRP
• Underwater profile  ·  Fin
• Sleeping berths  ·  6
• Engine  ·  1 x diesel 20hp, Volvo Penta 2020 (2007)
• Lying  ·  Portsmouth

Boatshed Portsmouth

This boat is off the market but here are some boats that are still for sale.

• Specification
• Additional Information

Extra Details

93 engine hours.

Sloop rigged Proctor Aluminium spars (1974) with Stainless Steel standing rigging ()

Cruising shute.

Electrical Systems

12 volt battery, 2 batteries charged by: engine, shore power

Construction

Accommodation.

2 burner propane Stove

2 halyard winches 4 sheet winches 1 anchors (Danforth) 20.00m of chain 20.00m of rode

Nav Equipment

Safety equipment.

1 bilge pumps (1 manual / 0 electric)

Broker's Comments

The Jaguar 27 is a favourite for many people. Standing headroom and a layout which was ahead of their time really. This one has been extremely well looked after and her internal woodwork could pass as almost new. She has a new engine and her upholstery is well up together. It is very hard to see any sign of her age at all. Lovely to see a boat kept up as boats should be! She will give her next owner some stirling service before she will need very much work at all. Quite genuinely ‘Must be seen’. These boat details are subject to contract. Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

Please note this comments section is public . Please do not post your personal details here. Please read our commenting guidelines before posting.

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Cost Of Ownership

• Practical Boat Owner
• Digital edition

Catalina 27 cruising sailboat: Refusing to follow fashion

• September 6, 2021

Built as the Jaguar 27 in the UK, the Catalina 27 was the model that took on the might of the Westerly Centaur, writes Rupert Holmes

All photos: David Harding/SailingScenes.com

Part of Catalina’s long-lasting success is based on a refusal to follow passing fashions. Instead models have a very long production life and are constantly refined to improve finish and ergonomics, above and below decks.

Two years after the launch of the Catalina 22, Butler teamed up with Bob Finch to design a 27-footer that would be proportionately larger, with full standing headroom, as well as a separate heads and forecabin.

The Catalina 27 was an instant success, with 1,500 orders taken in the first three months and in total, including the UK-built Jaguar 27 and other variants of the design licensed around the world, more than 7,000 were built.

Article continues below…

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Production continued in the USA for 20 years, when the boat was replaced by the more modern Catalina 270.

With its slightly longer overall length and wider beam, the Jaguar 27 proved a formidable opponent to the Westerly Centaur, which had been launched two years earlier.

UK boats were mostly fitted with diesel inboard engines from new, however early US versions were only offered with outboards.

The civilised accommodation by the standards of the time wasn’t this model’s only key selling point. It was also a boat with excellent handling characteristics that could achieve respectable speeds and, if properly set up, take heavy weather in its stride.

The design’s potential in capable hands was proved when Patrick Childress completed a 2.5 year circumnavigation in his Catalina 27.

An unusual feature is the very wide main hatch, which makes the boat one of the best of its era for use in hot climates as this arrangement helps boost both natural light and ventilation.

Many have therefore found their way to the southern USA, Bahamas and Caribbean, while on this side of the Atlantic there’s a good number in the Mediterranean.

Many of those are former Sailing Holidays flotilla boats – the company ran a fleet of Jaguar 27s for three decades, repeatedly refitting the heavily-used boats and proving just how solid the basic structure is.

Catalina 27 specification

LOA: 8.27m / 26ft 10in LWL: 6.50m / 21ft 9in Beam: 2.70m / 8ft 11in Draught (twin keel): 1.10m / 3ft 8in Draught (fin): 1.35m / 4ft 4in Displacement: 2,540kg / 5,600lb Sail area: 26.5m2 / 306ft2 Current market value: £7,000-£10,000 / $9,500-$13,5000

Pricelist for sails for Jaguar 27

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