GREAT BARRIER EXPRESS
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 27.75 ft |
| LWL | 26 ft |
| Beam | 16.42 ft |
| Displacement | 2,370 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.8 kn |
About the GREAT BARRIER EXPRESS
The GREAT BARRIER EXPRESS set the standard for cats of this type and, for years, was copied by others around the world. Nearly 30 of a FG production version were built in New Zealand. The rest from plans.
The Great Barrier Express is a 27.75 ft fractional sloop designed by Malcolm Tennant, with 300 hulls built in 1973. This lightweight, high-performance cruiser-racer is characterized by its low displacement of 2370.0 lb and a comfort ratio of 3.32, indicating a lively motion rather than heavy sea-keeping.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruising and active racing enthusiasts who prioritize speed and agility over heavy offshore comfort. Its light displacement and high sail area-to-displacement ratio (36.99) make it ideal for short-handed sailing in protected waters.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 2370.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 4.93, the Great Barrier Express is not recommended for serious bluewater passagemaking due to its light weight and narrow beam of 16.42 ft.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include other late-1970s lightweight fractional sloop designs such as the O'Day 27 or Pearson 26, which share similar dimensions and performance-oriented hull forms. These vessels are comparable due to their emphasis on planing capability and responsive handling in moderate winds.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the GREAT BARRIER EXPRESS 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 27.75ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the GREAT BARRIER EXPRESSyet 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 GREAT BARRIER EXPRESS? 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 GREAT BARRIER EXPRESS?
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.
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Used sails that fit the GREAT BARRIER EXPRESS
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…