Design and Construction
The Bandholm 27 has a fiberglass hull and deck, a fin keel, and a skeg-hung rudder. Its 9.2-foot beam and 23.3-foot waterline produce a length-to-beam ratio of 2.99 and about 247 square feet of wetted surface.
Displacement is 6,393 pounds, including roughly 3,108 pounds of lead ballast, for a ballast ratio of 47 percent. The displacement-length ratio is 251, placing the boat among moderately heavy coastal cruisers. An immersion rate of 740 pounds per inch means added gear lowers her visibly.
Because some Bandholm 27s were sold for home completion, individual boats may differ from the yard-built standard.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The masthead sloop rig carries 337 square feet of sail. Hull speed is 6.5 knots, while the Bukh DV10 diesel and shaft drive provide a speed of 6.0 knots.
Draft varies from 4.76 to 5.06 feet with load, allowing access to modest marinas. The capsize screening figure is 1.86, and the motion comfort ratio ranges from 21.8 to 25.0.
Accommodations
The compact Scandinavian interior provides five or six berths, along with a galley and toilet facility. The layout favors berth capacity over interior volume, and the narrow beam limits space below. Home-completed boats may also have owner-devised layouts that depart from the factory template.
Known Issues
Home-completed boats may have uneven laminate or tabbing compared with yard standards. Uniform quality can’t be assumed across the class; this variation is inherent in the production method.
Verdict
The Bandholm 27 is a modest, well-mannered cruiser whose conservative numbers suit cautious coastal sailing. The uncertainty surrounding home-completed boats is its one caveat.
Pros
- Stable numbers, including a capsize screening figure of 1.86 and a motion comfort ratio of up to 25.0
- Shallow fin keel for modest marinas
- Simple masthead rig and shaft-drive diesel
Cons
- Build quality varies among home-completed boats
- Narrow beam limits interior volume
