Design and Construction
With a length-to-beam ratio of 2.86, the Aloa 27 is beamy for her length. On this measure, comparative data places her as more spacious than 73 percent of similar designs.
The hull and deck are solid fiberglass with no core. The keel is iron rather than lead, keeping building costs and weight down. The boat carries 2,094 pounds of ballast within a displacement of 6,193 pounds, giving a ballast ratio of 37 percent—higher than 34 percent of comparable sailboats.
Draft ranges from 4.92 to 5.22 feet, depending on load, which is shallow enough for most marinas. Her displacement-length ratio of 224 places her among moderate racers. Since 58 percent of similar designs are heavier, she is light on her feet without being a featherweight.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The masthead rig has a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 18.88, a modest but usable figure for a cruiser of this size. The sail-control geometry is well documented: jib and genoa sheets run about 27 feet at 3/8-inch diameter, the mainsheet is roughly 68 feet at the same diameter, and a spinnaker sheet runs about 60 feet.
The hull has about 247 square feet of wetted surface. Its immersion rate is 761 pounds per inch, meaning the boat sits sensibly in the water and responds predictably to crew weight and stores.
Theoretical hull speed is 6.4 knots. With the fitted engine options, calculated maximum speeds are 4.0 knots behind an 8-horsepower Yanmar YS8 and 5.2 knots behind a 13-horsepower Volvo Penta MD7A.
Accommodations
Below, the Aloa 27 provides four berths and carries 238 liters of fresh water. That’s generous for a 27-footer and supports modest coastal cruising without constant tank-watching.
Headroom is above average for the class. Combined with the boat’s beamy proportions, it makes the interior feel less cramped than her length might suggest.
The Motion Comfort Ratio falls between 18.7 and 19.5, making her more comfortable than 42 percent of similar designs. She isn’t a soft-riding passagemaker, but she offers stable and reasonable quarters for weekend use.
Cruising Limits
The capsize screening value is 2.07, a figure that indicates the boat wouldn’t be accepted for ocean racing. That number, together with her moderate displacement and fin-keel form, frames the Aloa 27 as a sheltered-water and coastal cruiser rather than a bluewater contender.
Her theoretical maximum speed of 6.4 knots and engine speeds in the 4-to-5-knot range are better suited to harbor hops and bay sailing than to long offshore passages.
Known Issues
On an older example, the iron keel is prone to corrosion and coating breakdown after decades in the water. The solid-fiberglass hull and deck, however, avoid the moisture-intrusion problems associated with cored construction.
Verdict
The Aloa 27 is a pragmatic late-1970s small cruiser: beamy, light, and simple, designed by Frans Maas and built in volume by Aloa Marine. She offers more interior room than most comparable boats of her length, easy access to most marinas, and a forgiving coastal profile. Her capsize screening value and modest sail plan, however, set clear limits on where she should be asked to go.
Pros
- Beamy hull provides more space than 73 percent of similar designs
- Above-average headroom and four berths in a 27-footer
- Draft is shallow enough for most marinas
- Solid-fiberglass construction avoids the risks associated with cored panels
Cons
- Capsize screening value excludes her from ocean racing
- Iron keel calls for long-term corrosion vigilance
- Modest sail-area-to-displacement ratio limits pace under sail
