Although marketed toward cruising, the boat retained C&C’s racing-derived sensibilities. Its Ball-designed hull, updated interior, and straightforward systems made it the most civilized and finished version of the C&C 27 line.
Design and Construction
The Mark IV measures 27 feet 10.5 inches overall and 22 feet 10.5 inches on the waterline, with a beam of 9 feet 2 inches and a draft of 4 feet 6 inches. It carries 2,116 pounds of lead ballast against a displacement of 5,500 pounds, giving it a 38 percent ballast ratio. Practical Sailor’s review gives a slightly higher displacement figure for later models, but the manufacturer’s production record lists 5,500 pounds for the Mark IV.
The structure followed construction methods C&C had standardized during the 1970s and early 1980s. The boat had balsa-cored decks and a hand-laid fiberglass hull built with alternating layers of mat and cloth, according to an old manufacturer brochure. The external lead ballast casting was through-bolted to reinforced sections of the hull.
A molded fiberglass pan formed the cabin sole and berth foundations but did not extend higher into the structure. Marine-plywood bulkheads were described in the same brochure as taped and bonded to the hull and deck.
Among C&C’s trademark details was an L-shaped aluminum toerail, slotted for attaching snatch blocks. The hull-deck joint was secured with carriage bolts that a single worker could install.
Rig and Handling
The Mark IV is a masthead sloop with 372 square feet of sail area on a 37-foot rig. Its forestay was set back roughly seven inches to clear a bow roller, a practical concession to anchoring. Mid-boom mainsheet sheeting, with the traveler on the bridgedeck, had become standard in 1974, replacing end-of-boom sheeting.
Owners generally rate its upwind and off-the-wind performance as above average. Most also report that their boats back up beautifully under power. The main handling caveat is increasing weather helm as the wind builds; owners advise reefing early.
The keel sweeps aft like an inverted shark’s fin. Because it lacks a flat run along the bottom, it requires extra care when the boat is blocked ashore.
Accommodations and Stowage
The interior was the Mark IV’s biggest departure from its earlier sisterships. C&C replaced the primarily teak cabin with off-white melamine, teak trim, and dark-anodized aluminum mouldings, bringing the boat into line with the rest of the company’s range. C&C reportedly even considered marketing it as the Landfall 27, using the label reserved for its purely cruising-oriented boats.
The accommodation plan remained conventional. Forward is a V-berth measuring more than 6 feet, followed by a head and hanging locker. The saloon has a dinette with an opposing settee, while the galley is aft. Headroom ranges from 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 2 inches. Owners note that the dinette is somewhat narrow when converted into a double berth.
There is no quarterberth, but the resulting cockpit-seat lockers provide generous stowage. A bridgedeck helps keep water out of the cabin if the boat is pooped.
Ventilation is a weak point. The large saloon windows are fixed, and a dorade vent over the head was optional rather than standard.
Auxiliary Power and Ownership
The Mark IV’s auxiliary power was upgraded to a two-cylinder Yanmar diesel, although many boats left the factory with gasoline engines such as the Atomic 4.
One owner’s comment sums up the general approach across the fleet: simple systems, easy to maintain. Combined with the boat’s modest size, that simplicity makes the Mark IV an approachable platform for a hands-on cruiser.
Known Issues
Many C&C 27s have structural weak points that would need attention before offshore work, notably bulkheads that were not tabbed to the deck.
As with any older boat, rot in the bulkheads around the chainplates is a genuine risk. Water can run down a chainplate and into the surrounding structure. Deck delamination, especially around hardware, also merits close inspection.
The keel’s swept shape creates a separate practical concern: it must be blocked carefully whenever the boat is hauled.
The Verdict
The C&C 27 Mark IV is the most civilized of the 27-foot C&Cs, distilling decades of small-boat refinement into a compact, manageable package. Its Ball-designed hull and updated interior make it the most finished model in the line, while its racing pedigree keeps it lively at the helm.
The caveats are typical of its class and era. Ventilation is poor, weather helm increases as the breeze builds, and certain structural details require scrutiny before any offshore ambitions are considered.
Pros
- Above-average upwind and off-the-wind performance, according to owner reports
- Lead ballast through-bolted to reinforced hull sections; solid, proven construction
- A bridgedeck and generous cockpit lockers resulting from the no-quarterberth layout
- Simple, maintainable systems
Cons
- Bulkheads not tabbed to the deck, with risks of rot and deck delamination around the chainplates
- Fixed saloon windows and poor ventilation
- Increasing weather helm as the wind builds, requiring early reefing
- A swept keel that requires careful blocking ashore
