Aloha 27 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The hull is 22 feet 2.5 inches on the waterline, with a 9-foot-6-inch beam and a draft of 4 feet 4 inches. Displacement is 5,200 pounds, including 2,000 pounds of ballast enclosed within the fiberglass keel.

A ballast ratio of 38 percent and a displacement-to-waterline-length figure near 211 describe a moderately loaded cruiser rather than a lightweight racer. Even so, a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 18.1 suggests that the boat remains responsive under sail.

The manufacturer’s specifications confirm solid fiberglass construction throughout. The same record lists a deck-stepped mast and fractional sloop rig. Because the ballast is encapsulated, there are no external keel bolts to corrode—a quiet advantage on a boat now several decades old.

Rig, Handling, and Performance

The original production boats left the factory with oversized spars and internal halyards, along with Barient winches, pulpits, and lifelines. Steering was by tiller, with a wheel available as an option from the outset.

The mainsail appears in two configurations: 164 square feet with a 10.25-foot foot, or 178 square feet with an 11.25-foot foot. The jib remained 161 square feet, though its foot measurement changed from 10.25 to 11.25 feet around 1981. A 241-square-foot genoa on a 30-foot foretriangle completed the working sail inventory.

PHRF handicaps range from 201 for a spinnaker-equipped, outboard-powered boat to 231 for an inboard version without flying sails. Ratings cluster around a published racing average of 207. Theoretical hull speed is 6.32 knots.

Accommodations and Cruising Range

Early boats had tufted crushed-velour cushions, and the cabin layout was considered suitable for cruising from the beginning. Tankage is modest but self-contained: 12 gallons of diesel, 14 gallons of fresh water, and a comparatively generous 24-gallon holding tank. Those capacities point toward weekends at anchor rather than bluewater passages.

Bridge clearance is nearly 40 feet, an important figure for sailors planning inland routes with fixed bridges.

Engines and Known Issues

The Aloha 27 could be fitted with an inboard BMW, Volvo, or Westerbeke diesel, or with an outboard. The one- or two-cylinder inboards produced either 7 or 12 horsepower and turned a 1-inch propeller shaft.

Some owners considered the 7 hp BMW diesel underpowered, as period owner reports recorded. That concern applies specifically to the lowest-powered engine option, not to the larger Volvo or Westerbeke installations or the outboard alternative.

No structural defects appear in the record. The encapsulated keel and internally mounted spade rudder also leave relatively few hidden paths for corrosion.

Refit and Ownership Considerations

The deck-stepped mast and internal halyards simplify rig inspection, while the boat’s compact footprint reflects the builder’s hand-laid construction practices of the period.

The deck-stepped mast does, however, demand careful inspection of the seals at the partners. Engine choice is another important consideration, given the complaints about the 7 hp BMW.

With 188 boats built, the Aloha 27 remains a serviceable entry into Robert Perry’s cruiser design language. The compact footprint reflects the builder’s hand-laid practice of the period.

The Verdict

The Aloha 27 is a thoughtfully proportioned small cruiser. Its encapsulated-ballast fin keel and Perry-designed hull offer predictable handling without the concern of corroding keel bolts.

Engine selection is the main ownership watch point. Some owners found the 7 hp BMW short on power, making a later 12 hp installation or an outboard the smarter purchase. The boat isn’t a speed demon, but its accommodations and tankage are well suited to cruising in sheltered waters.

Pros