Heritage Super 27 Information, Review, Specs

The Heritage Super 27 emerged from the Heritage Yacht Corp., a venture founded by Charles Morgan in 1976 after his departure from Morgan Yacht Corporation. Heritage Yacht Corp. operated for a concise period, from 1976 to 1980, with a focus on leveraging advancements in fiberglass construction to produce durable hulls. Charles Morgan's enduring design philosophy, evident in the Super 27, emphasized a blend of performance and practical seaworthiness, aiming for well-engineered and aesthetically pleasing yachts. The Super 27 itself was successfully raced under the MORC handicap rule, indicating its design was geared towards competitive sailing as well as cruising. Following Heritage Yacht Corp.'s cessation of operations, the proven design of the Super 27 found new life, with its molds being acquired first by Chrysler Marine, where it became the Chrysler 27, and then by Texas Marine International (TMI) in 1981, becoming the TMI 27. This succession meant that while the original builder's run was short, the underlying design saw extended production without significant, publicly documented "Mk" variations, but rather a direct evolution under different manufacturing banners.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Heritage Super 27 is characterized by performance ratios that suggest a well-balanced and stable vessel. With a Sail Area to Displacement Ratio (SA/Disp) of approximately 16.1, the Super 27 offers moderate performance, indicating it is not an extreme light-wind boat but provides a good all-around sailing experience. Its high Ballast to Displacement Ratio (Bal/Disp) of roughly 0.493 contributes significantly to its stiffness and stability, allowing the boat to stand up well to a breeze and maintain a more comfortable motion in a seaway. The Displacement to Length (Disp/LWL) ratio, calculated at around 212.7, places the Heritage Super 27 in the moderate weight category. This suggests a design that balances performance attributes with cruising comfort, making it responsive without being overly twitchy. Owners and reviews generally describe the Heritage Super 27, also known as the Chrysler 27, as a "moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer" and "very stable / stiff," making it "ideal for coastal cruising". The masthead rig further supports its general-purpose sailing characteristics.

Accommodations and Layout

Information regarding the specific interior layout and accommodations of the Heritage Super 27 is not extensively detailed in readily available public records. The boat's length overall of 27.33 feet would typically suggest a functional interior designed for weekend cruising or short coastal trips. Common arrangements for sailboats of this size and era usually include a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees that may convert to berths, a galley area, and a dedicated or enclosed head compartment. While specific details on materials, finish quality, storage solutions, or ventilation systems are not widely documented, vessels from this period often featured a blend of fiberglass surfaces with wood trim. Due to the limited available data, specific headroom figures are not consistently reported.

Owner's Perspectives

While detailed owner reviews outlining common strengths and weaknesses specific to the Heritage Super 27 are not broadly aggregated, the extended production life of this design under the Chrysler and TMI names suggests a lasting appeal among sailors. Owner communities for the Chrysler 27 and TMI 27 exist on various online forums, indicating an active base of current owners. These communities often serve as a valuable resource for sharing experiences, maintenance tips, and insights into the practical ownership of these vessels. However, without direct, synthesized feedback from these communities, specific common praises or recurring issues cannot be definitively listed.