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273data points analyzed by Sailpages.com to compile this CAPE DORY 27 buyer’s report
CAPE DORY 27

CAPE DORY 27

Cape Dory🇺🇸· Design: Carl Alberg
$12,325 avg$4,500 – $28,500 (16 listings)1977–1985277 built
$1.1K – $3.0K est. annual maintenance
Bluewater CruisermonoMasthead SloopFull/Long
Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association

Specifications

Hull

LOA27.08 ft
LWL20 ft
Beam8.5 ft
Draft4 ft
Displacement7,500 lb
Ballast3,000 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL6.0 kn

Rig & Sails

Iforetriangle height34 ft
Jforetriangle base11 ft
Pmainsail luff29.75 ft
Emainsail foot11.25 ft
FLforestay11 ft
Mainsail367.7 sq ft
Jib (100%)187 sq ft
Spinnaker317.9 sq ft

About the CAPE DORY 27

Sailpages Buyer's Take

Designed by Carl Alberg and built by Cape Dory (USA) from 1977–1985, the Cape Dory 27 is a classic full-keel sloop with 277 hulls produced. Its heavy displacement of 7500.0 lb and full/long keel configuration prioritize stability and comfort over speed, resulting in a high comfort ratio of 30.28.

Best for:
This boat is ideal for coastal cruisers and conservative bluewater sailors who value seakindliness and ease of single-handed handling over high-performance racing capabilities.
Bluewater capability:
With a low capsize ratio of 1.74 and a displacement/length ratio of 418.53, the Cape Dory 27 is well-suited for offshore passages due to its stable, motion-dampening hull form.
Comparables:
Comparable boats include the Island Packet 28 and the Tartan 27, which share similar full-keel, heavy-displacement designs aimed at safe, comfortable offshore cruising.

Performance

Comfort30.3
Capsize1.74
SA/Disp15.3
Disp/Len419
Bal/Disp40.0

Liveaboard Score

How suitable the CAPE DORY 27is for living aboard full-time, by crew. “Not recommended” means the design is too cramped for that crew — not just short on length.

single
68/100
Good liveaboard
couple
51/100
Workable
family
Not recommended
interior volume too small (beam×LWL 170 < 250)
Strengths
  • Sea-kindly & settled at anchor
  • Affordable to own & maintain
  • Shoal draft — easy anchoring & outdoor living
Watch-outs
Prototype · interior facts: PUB (Cape Dory 27 — seakindly full-keel) · weights are tunable

Estimated Value

Medium Confidence
Based on 16 listings
Low
$7,381
Estimated Value
$9,518
High
$10,683
Inflation-adjusted to 2026 USD

Asking price by model year

18 listings · boat years 19741982 · median $12,500

$0$10k$20k$30k$40kmedian $12,500197519801981 Cape Dory 27 · $15,000 · Colorado, US1974 Cape Dory Cape Dory 27 · $10,000 · Maine, US1978 Cape Dory CD27 · $4,500 · Louisiana, US1982 Cape Dory Cape Dory 27 · $20,000 · Maryland, US1978 Cape Dory CD27 · $10,000 · Louisiana, US1978 Cape Dory CD 27 · $6,900 · Massachusetts, US1980 Cape Dory CD27 · $13,000 · Florida, US1981 Cape Dory 27 · $18,000 · Michigan, US1982 Cape Dory 27 · $12,000 · US1976 Cape Dory 27 · $6,300 · Maryland, US1980 Cape Dory Cape Dory 27 · $14,000 · Missouri, US1978 cape dory cd27 · $10,000 · Maryland, US1978 Cape Dory 27 · $14,500 · Massachusetts, US1978 Cape Dory 27 · $13,500 · Maine, US1977 Cape Dory 27 · $12,500 · Arkansas, US1977 Cape Dory 27 foot · $12,500 · Arkansas, US1979 Cape Dory 27' · $28,500 · Florida, US1980 27 · $12,000 · ME, USAsking price (USD)Boat model year

Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Based on 27.08ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.

$/ft/mo
Annual Maintenance
$1.1K – $3.0K
Hull, rigging, sails, engine service
Annual Docking
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Articles & Reviews

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

26 reported issues across 10 systems for the CAPE DORY 27, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.

8 critical10 major8 minor
Rigging5Structural5Engine4Deck3Safety2Rudder2Hull2Keel1Electrical1Plumbing1

Unlock the full inspection report

Thinking of buying a CAPE DORY 27? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.

  • All 26 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
  • Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
  • Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep

One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep

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We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.

Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Westerbeke, Universal, Atomic 4 — is it one of these?

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