BoatsCal 27

Cal 27

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1971–1974

The original of three distinct Lapworth designs, this masthead sloop features a high ballast ratio for stiff sailing

Designed by C. William Lapworth, built by Jensen Marine.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 19 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 19
CoastalBluewater

2.06 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.06
LightHeavy

217 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 217
EasygoingPowered-up

18.2 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 18.2
TenderStiff

50% of her weight is ballast — very stiff, carrying full sail in a blow.

Ballast 50%

A balanced, easily-driven cruiser — comfortable and forgiving for coastal work.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
50.5%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
18.2
Displacement / length
216.5
Comfort ratio
18.8
Capsize screening
2.06
Hull speed
6.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
718
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1971–1974
Units built
306
Designer
C. William Lapworth
Builder
Jensen Marine, Bangor Punta Corp

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Jeanneau Aquila 278.70 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA Philippe H. Harle-designed masthead sloop offered in both standard and deep-keel Regatta configurations
Puma 277.95 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA Ron Holland-designed masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, built for performance-oriented coastal cruising
Pearson Yachts 27 (Triton 27)8.23 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Doug Peterson-influenced masthead sloop built from US Yachts molds, offering a light-displacement take on IOR design
Com-Pac Yachts 258.59 mSame hull family0.3 m longerOriginally the Watkins 25, this masthead sloop features a shallow 0.76m draft and a fin keel for versatile cruising
Bristol Yachts 288.53 mSame hull family0.2 m longerAn IOR Half Ton racer with reduced stern overhang, serving as the performance-oriented predecessor to the Bristol 29.9
Newport 27S8.23 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1974 masthead sloop with a 1.3-metre draft, offering a stable fin-keel platform for shoal-water coastal cruising

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

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