Design and Construction
Tripp's approach produced a sturdy fiberglass construction with solid layup in both deck and hull, paired to a fin keel and a spade rudder. The early-1970s production context placed her among Whittaker's standardized cruiser-racer offerings, and the near-identical Columbia 27 relationship confirms a mature production tool rather than a one-off.
Rig and Handling
As a masthead sloop, the Coronado 27 carries a foretriangle with an I dimension of 32.40 feet and J of 10.75 feet, with a mainsail foot (E) of 9.50 feet and luff (P) of 27 feet. The fin keel and spade rudder combination, credited to Tripp's fin-keel pioneering, gives straightforward handling that period summaries describe as well suited to a balance of coastal cruising comfort and club racing potential. At 27 feet she is small enough to be managed short-handed yet large enough that her 6,250-pound displacement demands respect on the trailer and at the ramp.
Accommodations
Reviewers note a spacious interior for the boat's size, and the design shines as a family weekender or solo coastal hopper. The 8.5-foot beam supports that roominess without pushing the hull into a barge-like form, and the 22-foot waterline provides a reasonable cabin footprint for overnight use. She is framed as a boat that works for two generations of use: relaxed weekend anchors and single-handed hops along the shore.
The Verdict
The Coronado 27 is a modest-production Tripp design that delivered a sturdy, roomy coastal platform with uncomplicated systems and a shared lineage with the Columbia 27. Her fin-keel heritage and masthead rig make her an approachable club racer and weekender, though her weight and draft keep her from being a lightweight trailer sailor in practice.
Pros
- Sturdy solid fiberglass construction
- Spacious interior for a 27-foot boat
- Straightforward handling under masthead sloop rig
- Designed by fin-keel pioneer William H. Tripp Jr.
Cons
- Trailerable only with effort due to displacement and draft
- Limited production run of 100–150 hulls
