owners opinions

[frank]

If you own and sail a 27....I would love to hear your honest "best praise and worst complaint" as far as actually sailing the boat. THANKS!!!

[Koinonia]

The boat doesnt sail half bad though the port and starboard shrouds are the boats worst enemy.  If you could sheet in the genoa or a jib closer to the centerline of the boat it would point so much better.  Usually you see racers being the most concerned about pointing but while cruising there are times a couple more degrees of pointed ability could cut down on trip time conciderably.  Shes a great near shore cruiser, say keys and bahamahs.  I wouldnt want to do any long ocean voyaging however in the area of the keys and bahamahs  shes perfect with her short draft and roomy interior.  The boat having a fin keel instead of a full keel allows much better turning and she can back up well with the right prop selection.  The boat has a ton of storage, both in the cockpit and the cabin.  Interior space is the best I have seen in a 27ft boat with nice lines. 

Are you looking at buying one?  I dont know of any 27 owners that arent all but happy with their boats. 

[Allure2sail]

Hi Guys:
Curious about your assessment of the port and starboard shrouds. I can't get the jib or the Genoa any closer than the point where it starts to come in contact with the ends of the spreader's, that's it. The shrouds don't seem to be a problem when sheeting in to point higher. Am I not seeing something? I do like the clean decks thanks to the external rigging plates. Great boat for coastal cruising (Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Block Island, Long Island, and the CT shoreline.) It is just the right size for a couple to explore the coastlines with. Have not spent more than a week at a time but that will change this summer seeing I am now retired. YES...free at last !!!
Bruce
S/V Allure
Swansea, MA

[wes]

It will be a few months of renovation before I find out how my new-to-me 27 actually sails. On my 19, I have certainly found the spreaders, not the shrouds, to be the limiting factor.

I do need to buy new sails for the 27, so at the risk of highjacking this thread I'd like to know how you guys feel about 135 vs 155 genoa. I see the 135 came standard from the factory but my PO (sadly passed away, so I can't ask him why) put on a 155 instead.

Thoughts?

[MacGyver]

Wes,

I know most people run a 155 on a furler because for the most part you get most sizes you would want. The issue is it changes the headsail shape losing some performance for the convenience factor.

The most common headsail on a furling system boat on our lake would easily be the 155 or 150 without a doubt.

Mac

[wes]

On my 19, on a lake, I would agree. I really need that big 155 in light lake air, which is most of the time. When I started sailing in coastal waters where winds are stronger, the 155 was too much sail most of the time, and when heavily furled it performed poorly. Plus the 155 is cut from lighter fabric and gets pretty beat up in heavy air. So, I now fly a 135 at the coast, and had it cut from the same heavier weight fabric as my mainsail. It furls pretty well down to working jib size when needed. All this experience relates to the 19.

27 owners, is your experience similar? I am inclined to go with the 135 unless there's a consensus that the 27 is woefully underpowered.

Wes

[Koinonia]

The spreaders and shrouds limit how far you can sheet in and point compared to a lot of other designs. Look at a ranger 29 or Catalina 27 shroud setup for example.  If you've never sailed a better pointing boat then it's one of those don't know what your missing things, like going from hank on sails to roller furling.   My Santana 20 can point 20 degrees higher than my Compac with an idiot at the helm.  On another note if its really windy the boat powers well with just a main when its rough out.

Wes,

As far as sail size, if you do go with the big 155 be sure to with a lighter weight than you would with a 135.  A lot of people think bigger is better with genoas in light air bit the is still a side effect and compromise.  The big 150 is quicker to sag in very light air and loose all shape than a 135.  The smaller sail will also allow for better pointing.  The 135 will hold shape better in lighter air as well and shape is more important than size.  In phrf a lot of times in light air you can watch a j22 using a jib out sail the other j22 in the fleet that using a genoa due to the pointing.   Still it is all personal preference, bobk just got new sails and is very happy with his results. Try pming him for more info.  Also check out the other post on here about the asymmetrical, the boat flies off the wind with one of those!

[BobK]

I have a 135 on my 27.  When the wind falls so I can't sail 2 mph I use the iron jib.

[Harrier]

My new to me CP27 is the first sailboat I've owned and for that matter been on.  I am definitely a novice, so my comments may have less value then others but here you go...

Best Praise:  Manueverability and shallow draft.  As a novice, both have saved me on more than one occasion!

Worst Complaint:  Many have commented on the spreaders, and I've noticed myself having to be cognizant of how tight I bring the genoa in.  That being said, its never really bothered me, probably because I don't understand what I'm missing.  However, on a similar note, I feel like the placement of the winches relative to the sheet tracks on deck is just not quite right.  I feel like I just cant place the turning block far enough back without it coming into the winch at a bad angle.  Maybe just me??? 

[frank]

Thanks for the comments and best wishs for Allure getting way more use now Bruce is retired!!!!!!!

[Allure2sail]

My new to me CP27 is the first sailboat I've owned and for that matter been on.  I am definitely a novice, so my comments may have less value then others but here you go...

Best Praise:  Manueverability and shallow draft.  As a novice, both have saved me on more than one occasion!

Worst Complaint:  Many have commented on the spreaders, and I've noticed myself having to be cognizant of how tight I bring the genoa in.  That being said, its never really bothered me, probably because I don't understand what I'm missing.  However, on a similar note, I feel like the placement of the winches relative to the sheet tracks on deck is just not quite right.  I feel like I just cant place the turning block far enough back without it coming into the winch at a bad angle.  Maybe just me???  

Hi:
I agree about the angle of the sheet lines coming into the winches....not a good setup, I've moved the lead cars around and tried lead cars with taller blocks and even played with the idea of putting on on another turning block setup (name escapes me) on the commings after the winches so the sheet lines come onto the winches from the stern. The line always wants to doubles over itself on the winch at the worst time and becomes a real pain in the butt.
Anyboby cure this.....I'd like to know.....solo sailing with a winch over wrap on the sheet line is lousy.
Thank you for any help.
Bruce

[Neil Holck]

I know how aggravating the shrouds can be---especially on a boat like mine with "swept-back" spreaders and shrouds.  It seemed like a good idea when we bought it-since it is trailerable and we have to hoist the mast with a gin pole and "block and tackle" every time we launch it. Actually, it isn't so bad until we go on a run; then the mainsail rubs against the spreaders and shrouds for hours at a time.  Eventually it is going to wear through the sail and I'll have to have it repaired.  Besides that, even with the boom vang tightened, the sail shape is very distorted.  I end up furling the main and going with the 110 percent jib (technically a genoa since it is over 100 percent) alone. I COULD use the spinnaker in light winds, but even with the dousing sack, it is a pain to fly. 
I love to sail the boat and will keep it for lake sailing, but I am sure I will love my 27/2 even more.
Happy Sails to You!!

[Glenn Basore]

Hi all,

I seem to have problems with my shrouds as well on my Eclipse, in most cases I have to decide on what side of the shroud lines am I going to run my jib sheet lines. This usually is determined by the winds.

Some times I can sheet in pretty close to the spreader but going down wind the spreader wants to push in on the sail so I have to pull it in a bit to prevent this from happening and of course, I'm not really in a wing and a wing configuration now!

Aren't the shroud lines and spreader a problem for all sail boats?

Glenn

[Koinonia]

shrouds and spreaders being a problem are mainly an issue when the chainplates are mounted to far out, which needs wider spreaders.  Check out the more modern racing boats, this will put things in perspective.  It is possible on alot of sailboats to sheet in untill you hit the spreaders but with boats that have the chainplates mounted closer to the mast if you do sheet in that close the sail shape isnt as efficient.  On my santana I know I need to be about 2 inches from my spreaders or Im flattening out the sail to much.