HUNTER 27
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 27.17 ft |
| LWL | 22 ft |
| Beam | 9.25 ft |
| Draft | 4.25 ft |
| Displacement | 7,000 lb |
| Ballast | 3,000.2 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.3 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 34.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 11.5 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 29 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 10 ft |
| FLforestay | 11.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 355 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 198.4 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 337.2 sq ft |
Engine
| Yanmar | 1GM109 hpSee all 53 parts → |
| Yanmar | 2GM15 hpSee all 65 parts → |
| Yanmar | 2GM20F18 hpSee all 35 parts → |
| Yanmar | 2YM1514 hpSee all 47 parts → |
About the HUNTER 27
Shoal draft/wing keel: 3.25', Disp. 7200 lbs. Ballast: 3200 lbs Later boats were available with Yanmar diesel. Information above is from a Hunter brochure © 1979.
Designed by John Cherubini and built by Hunter Marine (USA) from 1974–1984, the Hunter 27 is a popular coastal cruiser with 2000 hulls built. It offers a comfortable, stable platform for weekend cruising, though owners frequently report structural maintenance needs typical of its era.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers, couples, or small families seeking a manageable, trailerable sloop for weekend trips and short passages, rather than serious bluewater expeditions.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 7000.0 lb, a capsize ratio of 1.94, and a fin keel, the Hunter 27 is primarily designed for protected waters and lacks the heavy displacement or robust construction required for extended offshore passage-making.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Catalina 27, O'Day 27, and Pearson 27, which share similar dimensions, masthead sloop rigs, and target the same entry-level coastal cruising market from the 1970s and 1980s.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
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° | 3.7 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 5.9 | 6.0 |
| 60° | 4.0 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.2 |
| 75° | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.6 |
| 90° | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.8 |
| 110° | 3.9 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.7 |
| 120° | 3.6 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 6.6 |
| 135° | 3.2 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.5 |
| 150° | 2.9 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 6.3 |
| Beat VMG | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.9 |
| Run VMG | 2.6 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Estimated Value
High ConfidenceAsking price by model year
69 listings · boat years 1976–2009 · median $16,000
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 27.17ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
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Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
40 reported issues across 9 systems for the HUNTER 27, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a HUNTER 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 40 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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Engine Parts & Maintenance
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Used sails that fit the HUNTER 27
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