Santa Cruz 27 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The genesis of the Santa Cruz 27 lies in the innovative mind of Bill Lee, often dubbed "The Wizard" for his revolutionary approach to yacht design. Founded in 1971, Santa Cruz Yachts (originally Bill Lee Yachts) was driven by Lee's desire to build ultra-light displacement, high-performance racing sleds that challenged conventional wisdom. The Santa Cruz 27, commencing production in 1974, was a direct manifestation of this vision. It was specifically developed to excel in Quarter-Tonner racing, with an initial customer request targeting a smaller version of successful racing yachts of the era, and was notably designed for races like the Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara event.

The design ethos centered on creating a lightweight, rigid hull with a deep fin keel and spade rudder, features that were cutting-edge for fiberglass boats at the time. While there isn't a widely documented history of formal MkI or MkII variations, the "Fast is Fun" philosophy encouraged owners to optimize their boats, with some discussions noting the presence of "baby stays" in areas prone to heavy winds, indicating a degree of adaptable rigging or owner customization. The hull was constructed with fiberglass incorporating a balsa core, a pioneering technique for weight savings that contributed significantly to its performance.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Santa Cruz 27's design ratios underscore its performance pedigree. With a sail area to displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 23.05, she boasts a generous sail plan relative to her weight, indicating strong performance in light air conditions. A high ballast to displacement (B/D) ratio of 0.50 signifies excellent stiffness and stability, allowing the boat to stand up to a significant amount of wind and carry sail effectively. Her displacement to length (D/L) ratio of roughly 95.8 confirms her status as a true ultra-light displacement vessel, emphasizing speed through reduced wetted surface and the ability to plane downwind.

Owners consistently laud the Santa Cruz 27 for its exceptional handling and exhilarating performance. She is described as "very well built, easy to sail, durable," and known for her historically good racing rating. The boat is particularly praised for its downwind capabilities, with many noting that it "surfs like crazy and drives very well," providing a thrilling ride in a seaway. Furthermore, her balanced design and responsive rudder make her well-suited for short-handed sailing, performing admirably with single or double crews. The enduring presence of active Santa Cruz 27 fleets, particularly on the West Coast, further attests to its engaging sailing characteristics and lasting appeal among performance-oriented sailors.

Accommodations and Layout

While primarily designed for speed, the Santa Cruz 27 offers functional and adequate accommodations below deck for a performance-oriented 27-footer. The interior layout typically features a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees that may convert to berths, and a basic galley. Some configurations might include pipe berths aft, maximizing sleeping capacity. For its era, the galley was reasonably equipped, sometimes featuring a three-burner LPG stove with an oven.

The emphasis on lightweight construction meant that interior finishes, while robust, were generally utilitarian rather than luxurious, reflecting the boat's racing priorities. Storage solutions are practical for a vessel of this size, designed to keep gear secure during spirited sailing. While specific details on ventilation are not consistently highlighted, owners of similar ultra-light designs often prioritize functional air circulation given the emphasis on weight savings in the interior fit-out.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Santa Cruz 27 frequently express immense satisfaction, often calling it "one of the best, funnest, bang-for-the-buck boats you can find." They consistently praise its solid construction and the overall quality of the fiberglass work, often described as some of the best seen. The boat's enduring performance capabilities and its ability to provide a thrilling sailing experience are recurring themes among enthusiasts. Its versatility as both a competitive racer and a fast cruiser is also highly valued.

However, like many boats of its vintage, the Santa Cruz 27 can have common maintenance considerations. A frequently noted issue is the tendency for original sail tracks and ports to develop leaks over time, a problem attributed to hull flexing and the bonding agents used in early construction. Additionally, as the hull is balsa cored, some owners have reported issues related to moisture intrusion into the core, potentially requiring extensive repair projects. Despite these potential challenges, the strong community of Santa Cruz 27 owners and their willingness to undertake maintenance projects underscore the deep appreciation for these iconic, performance-driven sailboats.