1985 Catalina 27 Tall Rig Sold Boat in Stamford, CT US

One word may sum up the success of the Catalina 27-VALUE! For sale, Stamford CT, Tall Rig, Diesel, Wheel Helm, excellent condition.

The Catalina 27 is an American classic. First launched in 1971, more than 6,600 boats were built during a 20-year production run, making it possibly the best-selling 27-footer of all time. Frank Butler, the 27's co-designer, as well as the founder and driving force behind Catalina Yachts, has an uncanny knack for creating boats that people love. 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.

One of the most surprising features of the 27 is how nicely it sails. The boat is fair­ly well balanced, and thrives upwind in moderate conditions. The Catalina 27 is responsive, relatively fast and easy to sail. The Catalina 27 fits the vague description of coastal cruiser and casual racer. With that said, several boats have made impressive pas­sages.

This TALL RIG Catalina 27 is in excellent condition, no apparent issues with water intrusion, nor stress cracks around the chain plates or stanchion mounts. The interior is in great condition, the upholstery, though perhaps dated, is in fine shape. Sails are in good condition, running gear is up to snuff. With her tall rig, she is a better than average light air sailor. She is turnkey ready to go.

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 owners groups.