Design and Construction
The Bianca 27 has a fiberglass hull and an iron keel. YACHT’s used-boat test judged its build quality to be above average for the class. The yard’s own record describes a solid fiberglass hull and a PVC-foam-cored deck, a layup typical of Danish production at the time.
The boat displaces 7,165 pounds, including 3,197 pounds of iron ballast, for a ballast ratio of 44.6 percent. A length-to-beam ratio of 3.38 gives her a narrow, purposeful profile, while the waterline measures 20.3 feet. Draft is 4.58 feet, in keeping with a design that favors seaworthiness over speed.
A capsize screening value of 1.66 and a motion comfort ratio near 31 place the Bianca 27 firmly among stable, moderate-displacement cruisers rather than lively racers. Her immersion rate is about 567 pounds per inch, so she settles predictably as weight comes aboard. The roughly 193-square-foot wetted surface is also consistent with a full-keel cruiser of this size.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The Bianca 27 carries a masthead sloop rig with 320 square feet of working sail area under main and jib. Its SA/D ratio is 14.1 with the reference sail area and 16.7 with a 135 percent genoa. Those figures describe a moderately canvased boat that won’t be overpowered easily, but is no light-air flyer.
The theoretical hull speed is 6.0 knots, matching the quoted 6.0-knot figure under engine power. Whether sailing or using the optional Bukh diesel, the boat tops out at the same modest pace.
The running rigging is straightforward and intended for manual control. Halyards are 22.9 meters long and 8 mm in diameter, sheets are 10 mm, and the mainsheet is 20.6 meters long.
Accommodations and Tankage
Below deck, the Bianca 27 is described as a good cruising boat with plenty of space. The layout includes four berths, a galley, and a toilet facility. For a 27-footer of its generation, the interior feels generous rather than cramped.
Mahogany joinery and above-average headroom give the cabin a warm period character. YACHT’s reviewer described the experience as an immersion in sailing’s past.
Fresh-water capacity is listed as 60 liters, or 16 gallons, while diesel capacity is 10 gallons. Those modest tanks suit coastal cruising and short offshore passages, without pretending to offer long-range self-sufficiency.
Refits and Ownership
YACHT’s test concluded that a refit is worthwhile. With every Bianca 27 now decades beyond the end of production, the sensible ownership path is renewal of systems rather than structural correction.
The above-average original construction provides a sound basis for that work. Straightforward rigging sizes should also make piecemeal upgrades practical for an owner comfortable working with period hardware.
The Verdict
The Bianca 27 is a seaworthy, well-built Danish cruiser with useful cabin volume and a forgiving motion profile. It’s best understood as a classic full-keeled companion for coastal and moderate offshore sailing, not as a performance boat.
Pros
- Above-average build quality, with a fiberglass hull and iron keel
- Plenty of space below, including four berths and a galley
- Stable, seaworthy character, with a 1.66 capsize screening value
- A worthwhile refit candidate with straightforward rigging
Cons
- Seaworthiness takes priority over speed; theoretical hull speed is 6.0 knots
- Modest 10-gallon diesel and 16-gallon water capacities
- A 4.58-foot draft limits shallow-water anchoring
