Design and Construction
Perry’s hull measures 22 feet 2.5 inches on the waterline against a 9-foot-6-inch beam, drawing 4 feet 4 inches with 5,200 pounds of displacement and 2,000 pounds of ballast locked inside the glass keel. The 38 percent ballast ratio and a displacement-to-waterline-length figure near 211 describe a moderately loaded cruiser rather than a featherweight racer, yet the sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 18.1 keeps her responsive under canvas. The manufacturer’s specifications confirm solid fiberglass construction throughout, and the same record lists a deck-stepped mast atop a fractional sloop rig. The encapsulated ballast means no external bolt-ons to corrode, a quiet advantage for a boat now decades into its service life.
Rig and Handling
The original production boats left the factory with oversized spars and internal halyards, paired to Barient winches and a full complement of pulpit and lifelines. Mainsail area appears in two configurations—164 square feet with a 10.25-foot foot, or 178 square feet with an 11.25-foot foot—while the jib held at 161 square feet with its foot measurement shifting from 10.25 to 11.25 feet around 1981; a 241-square-foot genoa on a 30-foot foretriangle completes the working inventory. PHRF handicaps run from 201 with spinnaker and outboard to 231 without flying sails and inboard, clustering around a published racing average of 207. The theoretical hull speed sits at 6.32 knots, and steering was tiller with an optional wheel from the outset.
Accommodations
The early boats dressed their cruising cabin with tufted crushed velour cushions, and the layout was judged suited to cruising from the first. Tankage is modest but self-contained: 12 gallons of diesel, 14 of fresh water, and a generous 24-gallon holding tank point to a boat intended for weekend anchors rather than bluewater transit. Bridge clearance approaches 40 feet, a figure worth noting for fixed bridges on inland routes.
Known Issues
Some owners found the 7 hp BMW diesel underpowered as period owner reports recorded, a caveat attached specifically to that lowest-rated engine option rather than the larger Volvo or Westerbeke installations or the outboard alternative. No structural defects appear in the record, and the encapsulated keel and internally mounted spade rudder leave few hidden corrosion paths.
Refits and Ownership
The Aloha 27 accepts either an inboard diesel—BMW, Volvo, or Westerbeke—or an outboard, with one- or two-cylinder plants of 7 or 12 horsepower turning a 1-inch prop shaft. The deck-stepped mast and internal halyards simplify rig inspection, and the compact footprint reflects the builder’s hand-laid practice of the period. With 188 built, the model remains a serviceable entry into Perry’s cruiser design language.
The Verdict
The Aloha 27 is a thoughtfully proportioned small cruiser whose encapsulated-ballast fin keel and Perry hull lines deliver predictable handling without overhaul anxiety. The chief ownership watch-item is engine selection: the 7 hp BMW draws owner complaint for lack of punch, so a later 12 hp unit or outboard rig is the smarter buy. She is not a speed demon, but her accommodations and tankage suit sheltered-water cruising well.
Pros
- Encapsulated lead ballast eliminates keel-bolt corrosion paths
- Fractional sloop rig with internal halyards and oversized original spars
- Modest 188-unit production keeps parts and knowledge base focused
- 24-gallon holding tank supports extended anchoring
Cons
- 7 hp BMW diesel reported underpowered by some owners
- 12-gallon fuel and 14-gallon water limit range
- Deck-stepped mast demands careful seal inspection at partners
