Show 27 Information, Review, Specs

The creation of the Show 27 in 1978 marked a significant point during Cantieri Barberis's "golden age" of the 1970s and 1980s, a period when the La Spezia-based shipyard was instrumental in exporting Italian yacht design to the international market. Founded by Giuseppe Barberis in 1931 and later directed by Giancarlo Barberis, the company became synonymous with fiberglass yachts that elegantly blended performance characteristics with comfortable cruising amenities. The collaboration between Delio Barberis and Lanfranco Soma for the Show 27 exemplifies Barberis's design philosophy, aiming for yachts that offered both aesthetic appeal and robust sailing capabilities. 1, 3, 5, 6, Builder Article The hull construction utilizes solid fiberglass, a common and durable material for its era, contributing to the boat's reputation for solid construction. The design features a fin keel and a spade rudder, indicative of a vessel intended for responsive handling.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Show 27 exhibits sailing characteristics that position it as a lively and capable performer for its size. With a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/Disp) of approximately 18.97, the Show 27 boasts a generous sail plan, suggesting good performance in lighter air conditions. Its ballast to displacement ratio (Bal/Disp) of around 35.83% indicates a moderate degree of stability, allowing the boat to stand up well to a breeze without being overly tender. Furthermore, a low displacement to length ratio (Disp/LWL) of approximately 167.70 classifies the Show 27 as a relatively light and performance-oriented vessel, distinguishing it from heavier, more traditional cruisers. Owners and reviewers often note its balanced feel and responsive steering, thanks in part to its fin keel and spade rudder configuration. The design has been described as offering a more comfortable motion than many similar sailboat designs of its class.

Accommodations and Layout

While detailed interior specifications for the Show 27 are not extensively documented in available public records, the general design ethos of Cantieri Barberis suggests a well-thought-out interior focused on maximizing space and comfort for a 27-foot cruiser. The designers aimed for a "slightly more spacy hull design," which would translate into a more accommodating interior compared to some contemporaries. Typical layouts for boats of this size and era usually feature a forward V-berth, a compact marine head, a saloon with settees that may convert into additional berths, and a basic galley area. Given Barberis's reputation for quality, the interior would likely have featured a blend of functional fiberglass surfaces with warm wood trim, offering a classic Italian finish. Storage solutions would have been integrated throughout the cabin, and ventilation, while dependent on specific deck hatch and portlight configurations, would have been considered for comfortable living aboard.