Cruiser-Racer

FOR SALE…27 foot Catalina 27 Tall Rig/Deep Draft, 1978, inboard auxiliary sloop situated in Bridgeport Connecticut. The Catalina 27 is an incredibly successful small coastal cruiser designed by Frank Butler and Robert Finch. 6,662 hulls were completed during the 20 year production run, 1971 through 1991.

The tall rig / deep draft combination is recognized as the fastest configuration amongst the many different iterations of this popular classic racer / cruiser.

The Catalina 27 has a reputation as a well mannered lady with decent speed for a friendly competition between piers. Demand for Catalina 27s in good condition remains strong among first time buyers and sailors moving up to their first cruising boats.

The Catalina 27 is a spa­cious, user-friendly family cruiser.

 Even by today's standards, these boats are quite roomy for a 27-footer. The designers provided this room and decent cruising accommodations in a package that remains good looking and "yacht-like" to most sailors’ eyes. A PHRF rating of around 210 means that the Catalina 27 can be raced compet­itively on Wednesday nights or in active one-design fleets, although racing is not its forte. It is an ideal boat for the way most of us use our boats, that is day sailing and week­end outings.

The Catalina 27 was a "big" boat when it was first introduced in 1971. In fact, at the time it was the queen of the Catalina fleet. The look is " California1970s modern." This translates into an almost flat sheer line with a large but nicely blended cabin trunk and cockpit coamings. There is plenty of free­board and nearly 9 feet of beam, which, of course, creates space below. Under the water, the high­ aspect fin keel sweeps aft, as does the spade rudder.

The Catalina 27 hull is solid fiberglass and the thick­ness tapers significantly from the waterline up. The deck is plywood cored.

On deck, the Catalina 27 has a shallow but comfortable cockpit with a locker to port and aft lazarette. The companionway is enormous and there is not a bridge deck to speak of. The traveler is mounted over the companionway, The headsail tracks are inboard, allowing close sheeting angles. The forward hatch mounts flush, which is nice looking and saves a few toe bruises.

Down below, the interior is spacious and user-friendly. The huge companionway makes stepping below a breeze. The layout includes a V-berth forward fol­lowed by an enclosed head. The saloon has two opposite settees and the galley is aft to port. This configuration includes plenty of storage, Headroom is about 6 feet and ven­tilation is adequate.

This Catalina 27 Tall Rig has been competitively raced with all the appropriate upgrades and improvements one would expect with a well maintained competitive boat.

Valteris is a clean, well maintained, cruiser racer in great condition with many upgrades and all of the toys that make sailing the sport it is. She is a terrific family cruiser with berths for five and a comfortable cockpit with a tiller helm. Her tall rig makes her a natural for the coastal sounds and bays, perfect for Long Island Sound and a trip out to Block Island or the Elizabeth Islands. Easily sailed, well suited for a young family or a singlehanded sailor, please consider this yacht as your next adventure on the water.

The Catalina 27 didn't become one of the most popular boats ever built without good reason. It offers good sailing, comfortable accommodations, one-design fleets and active owner’s groups.