BoatsContessa 27

Contessa 27

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/transom Hung Rudder · First built 1981

A Rob Humphreys-designed fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, later produced as the MGC27

Designed by Rob Humphreys, built by MG Yachts.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/transom Hung 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 beamy beam gives 17 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 17
CoastalBluewater

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

Capsize screening 2.24
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 198
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 20.6
TenderStiff

45% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 45%

Powered-up and quick to accelerate — this one likes to sail.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
45.4%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
20.6
Displacement / length
197.8
Comfort ratio
16.8
Capsize screening
2.24
Hull speed
6.5 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
840
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/transom hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1981
Units built
150
Designer
Rob Humphreys
Builder
MG Yachts, Jeremy Rogers Ltd

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 family0.3 m longerA Philippe H. Harle-designed masthead sloop offered in both standard and deep-keel Regatta configurations
Maxi Yachts Fenix 8.58.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1980s cruiser with a 1.5-metre bulb keel and spade rudder, designed for a balanced, stable coastal experience
Albin Marine AB Vega 278.25 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthScandinavia's most popular production yacht of her size, this 8.25-metre masthead sloop defined coastal cruising from 1965 to 1979
Pearson Yachts 27 (Triton 27)8.23 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA Doug Peterson-influenced masthead sloop built from US Yachts molds, offering a light-displacement take on IOR design
Bristol Yachts 288.53 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn IOR Half Ton racer with reduced stern overhang, serving as the performance-oriented predecessor to the Bristol 29.9
Newport 27S8.23 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA 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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