DEFENDER 27
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 26.25 ft |
| LWL | 19 ft |
| Beam | 8.2 ft |
| Draft | 4.13 ft |
| Displacement | 4,409 lb |
| Ballast | 1,873.8 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.8 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 27.89 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 10.01 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 24.61 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 8.37 ft |
| FLforestay | 10 ft |
| Mainsail | 250.8 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 139.6 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 237.3 sq ft |
About the DEFENDER 27
Inboard Buhk Desiel was optional. Based on the earlier DEFENDER 15 (IOR 1/4 ton), with more freeboard and entirely new deck. Later a stretched version became the DEFENDER 32. The 27 was, by far, the yards most popular model.
The Defender 27 is a compact, performance-oriented trailerable sloop designed by Jacques Gaubert and André Mauric, with production records indicating a build year of 1971. Built by Dekker & Sons (NL) and EDOR, this vessel combines a 26.25 ft LOA with a 4409.0 lb displacement, offering a blend of coastal cruising comfort and racing pedigree.
- Best for:
- This boat is ideally suited for coastal cruisers and trailerable boat owners who prioritize ease of transport and storage without sacrificing sailing performance. Its manageable size and fin keel design make it accessible for single-handers or couples seeking a responsive, low-maintenance package.
- Bluewater capability:
- While its 4409.0 lb displacement and 2.0 capsize ratio suggest stability, the Defender 27 is primarily a coastal cruiser rather than a dedicated bluewater passagemaker, with its 19.0 ft LWL and trailerable nature limiting its offshore endurance.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include the O'Day 23 and the Pearson 23, as they share similar trailerable dimensions and coastal cruising roles from the same era. The Defender 27 distinguishes itself with a more performance-focused hull form and higher sail area-to-displacement ratio (14.5) compared to these heavier, comfort-oriented contemporaries.
Direct variant of the DEFENDER 27
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(3 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.6 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| 60° | 4.9 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.1 |
| 75° | 5.1 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.4 |
| 90° | 5.1 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.8 |
| 110° | 5.1 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 7.0 |
| 120° | 5.0 | 5.7 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.3 |
| 135° | 4.5 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 7.5 |
| 150° | 3.9 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 7.3 |
| Beat VMG | 3.1 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Run VMG | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.9 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the DEFENDER 27 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 26.25ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the DEFENDER 27yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a DEFENDER 27? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your DEFENDER 27?
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.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the DEFENDER 27
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…