Question 1

What are the specs of the VARNE 850?

Accepted Answer

The VARNE 850 has the following specifications: 27.75ft LOA, 9ft beam, 4.25ft draft, 6,200lb displacement, 2,594.7lb ballast. Hull type: mono. Rig: Masthead Sloop. Keel: Fin.

Question 2

Who built the VARNE 850 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Varne Marine Ltd. / Weston Boats (UK), designed by Duncan Stuart, first built in 1979.

Question 3

Is the VARNE 850 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The VARNE 850 is classified as a Offshore Cruiser. It has a comfort ratio of 22.29, which means it offers moderate comfort, good for coastal cruising and some offshore work. The capsize screening ratio is 1.96, which is excellent for offshore sailing.

Question 4

How fast is the VARNE 850?

Accepted Answer

The VARNE 850 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 15.88, which indicates a more conservative sail plan focused on comfort over speed. The displacement to length ratio is 298.87, making it a moderate displacement sailboat.

Question 5

How much does it cost to maintain a VARNE 850?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a VARNE 850 is estimated at $1.2K – $3.3K. This includes hull care, rigging, sails, and engine service. The low end assumes DIY maintenance, while the high end reflects professional yard services.

Question 6

How much does it cost to own a VARNE 850 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the VARNE 850 (27.75ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $1.2K – $3.3K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $500-$2000/year (based on $unknown average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 27.75ft boat: Florida: $5,000-$13,300/year. California: $4,700-$11,700/year. Massachusetts: $3,500-$7,800/year + $1,100 winter storage. New York: $3,500-$9,700/year + $1,100 winter storage. Maryland: $3,300-$6,000/year. Texas: $2,000-$6,000/year. Washington: $4,000-$8,700/year. Michigan: $1,900-$4,300/year + $1,100 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,000-$6,000/year. South Carolina: $4,300-$8,300/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $4K to $22K depending on location and maintenance approach. Source: SailPages.com, based on published marina rate cards and industry data.

Question 7

How much does it cost to dock a VARNE 850?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the VARNE 850 (27.75ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $5,000-$13,300/year. California: $4,700-$11,700/year. Massachusetts: $3,500-$7,800/year + $1,100 winter storage. New York: $3,500-$9,700/year + $1,100 winter storage. Maryland: $3,300-$6,000/year. Texas: $2,000-$6,000/year. Washington: $4,000-$8,700/year. Michigan: $1,900-$4,300/year + $1,100 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,000-$6,000/year. South Carolina: $4,300-$8,300/year. Rates are per foot per month multiplied by boat length. Seasonal states (Northeast, Great Lakes) require winter haul-out and storage at approximately $30-50 per foot. Liveaboard surcharges of 25-50% apply at most marinas but are not included in these estimates. Mooring balls are typically 40-55% less than slip costs. Source: SailPages.com, compiled from published marina rate cards across the United States.

Question 8

What are the common problems with the VARNE 850?

Accepted Answer

SailPages.com has compiled 1 issues reported for the VARNE 850 by owners in sailing-forum discussions and owner-association material, concentrated in engine, each rated by severity (critical, major, minor). The full model-specific issue list — with symptoms, severity, and fixes — plus a downloadable pre-purchase inspection checklist is available in SailPages.com's report for the VARNE 850.

Question 9

What should I look for when buying a VARNE 850?

Accepted Answer

When buying a VARNE 850, SailPages.com has compiled 1 model-specific issues reported by owners across engine. Always hire a SAMS or NAMS accredited marine surveyor — SailPages.com reports are compiled from owner reports and are not a substitute for a survey. The downloadable report for the VARNE 850 includes each reported issue plus a model-specific pre-purchase checklist with checkboxes, notes fields, and an overall assessment section.

Question 10

How does the VARNE 850 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The VARNE 850 is classified as a Offshore Cruiser by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 27.75ft LOA, comfort ratio 22.29, capsize ratio 1.96, SA/disp 15.88. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	27.75 ft
LWL	21 ft
Beam	9 ft
Draft	4.25 ft
Displacement	6,200 lb
Ballast	2,594.7 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	6.1 kn

VARNE 850

Specifications

Hull

About the VARNE 850

Performance

Pricing

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

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Which engine powers your VARNE 850?

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