Design Brief & Intent
The Creekmore 27 was designed by naval architect Lee Creekmore and constructed by Creekmore Boats. Lee and his father, Raymond "Ray" Creekmore, were pioneers of early fiberglass construction in South Florida and were widely respected for producing heavily laminated, "bulletproof" hulls. This model was engineered to excel under performance-oriented handicap rules of the era, borrowing performance cues from Lee Creekmore's highly successful Midget Ocean Racing Class designs, most notably the Lindenberg 26.
While mass-market competitors like Catalina and Hunter prioritized maximum interior volume and family-friendly cabin amenities, the Creekmore 27 prioritized structural strength and hydrodynamic efficiency. A solid fiberglass hull layup and a wide, stable beam of over ten feet distinguish this model from its peers.
Because the Creekmore shipyard frequently sold its boats in "kit" form—providing a molded hull and deck for the owner or a secondary yard to finish—the character of the interior joinery can vary dramatically from boat to boat. Some examples feature beautifully finished teak cabinetry, marine-grade plywood bulkheads, and elegant cruising arrangements, while others display minimalist, weight-saving layouts designed purely for racing utility.
Variations & Configurations
The underlying design of the Creekmore 27 features a high-performance masthead sloop rig paired with a deep fin keel drawing 5.6 feet and a balanced spade rudder. This deep-draft configuration was optimized for windward performance and structural rigidity. However, given the custom nature of the builder, some hulls were fitted with shallower draft options to accommodate the thin waters of the Florida Keys and the Bahamas.
Deck layouts and cockpit ergonomics also differ across the fleet. Racing-oriented hulls often feature highly adjustable backstays, fine-tuned mainsheet travelers, and expansive primary winches, while cruising layouts favor cleaner decks and self-tailing hardware. Auxiliary power configurations also vary; many owners chose lightweight, bracket-mounted outboard engines to keep the transom light and eliminate propeller drag under sail, while others opted for small, permanent inboard diesels during the initial build phase.
Sailing Performance & Handling
Under sail, the Creekmore 27 is a lively and stiff performer. With a displacement of 5,300 pounds and a ballast weight of 2,200 pounds, the vessel boasts an impressive ballast-to-displacement ratio of 41.51%. This high concentration of ballast in the deep fin keel delivers exceptional righting moment and stiffness, allowing the boat to carry its sails upright when lighter production pocket cruisers are forced to reef.
The sail area-to-displacement ratio of 18.47 indicates a highly powerful rig that is easily driven, making the boat exceptionally fast in light-to-moderate air—a vital attribute for the light breezes characteristic of the Southeast coast. With a displacement-to-length ratio of 194.47, the hull sits in the moderate-to-light performance category, accelerating rapidly out of tacks and showing an eagerness to sail close to the wind.
Conversely, the boat's comfort ratio of 15.59 and capsize screening ratio of 2.31 reflect its racing lineage. The motion in a choppy seaway is quick and energetic, rather than the slow, dampening motion of a heavy cruiser. At the helm, the spade rudder provides finger-tip control and exceptional maneuverability, but the boat requires active helming and sail trim to maintain peak efficiency in gusty conditions.
Known Issues & Triage
The primary technical focus when assessing a Creekmore 27 is the quality of the individual build completion. Because many hulls were completed by amateur owners, surveyors must meticulously evaluate the electrical wiring, plumbing, and mechanical installations to ensure they meet modern safety standards.
While the solid fiberglass hull laminate is incredibly robust and highly resistant to structural osmosis, the deck construction utilizes a balsa core for stiffness and weight savings. Decades of service can take a toll on deck fittings; any un-bedded or leaking stanchion bases, chainplates, or track fasteners can allow water to migrate into the balsa core, resulting in soft spots and rot.
Furthermore, the chainplate attachments and bulkhead tabbing must be inspected for structural flexing. In owner-finished boats, the fiberglass tabbing securing the structural bulkheads to the hull side can sometimes be insufficient, leading to rig tension issues or creaking when sailing hard on a windward beat.
Modernization & Upgrades
Modern owners of the Creekmore 27 focus their refit budgets on weight reduction and simplified systems. Replacing aging, heavy lead-acid batteries with a lightweight lithium iron phosphate bank is a highly effective upgrade. Since the boat's performance is sensitive to weight, reducing house battery mass while increasing usable amp-hours is a major benefit for weekend cruising.
Auxiliary power is another area ripe for modernization. Many owners are replacing older, maintenance-heavy outboards or small inboard diesels with modern high-thrust four-stroke outboards or clean electric propulsion systems. An electric outboard or pod drive aligns perfectly with the boat's light-displacement, easily driven hull.
On deck, replacing older, heavy wire halyards with modern synthetic Dyneema rigging, upgrading to low-friction turning blocks, and leading all control lines aft to the cockpit can dramatically improve short-handed handling and overall safety.
The Verdict
The Creekmore 27 is a rare, high-performance cruiser-racer that appeals to sailors who appreciate solid, semi-custom craftsmanship and exceptional sailing dynamics. While its lively motion and variable, owner-finished interiors require a discerning eye during the buying process, its robust structural foundation and superb light-air performance make it a rewarding boat to own and sail.
Pros
- High ballast ratio of 41.51% provides excellent stiffness and stability.
- Powerful sail plan delivers outstanding light-air performance and quick acceleration.
- Solid, hand-laid fiberglass hull construction provides superior structural strength.
- Beamy hull design offers a spacious cockpit and a stable platform at anchor.
Cons
- Interior fit-out and systems vary widely in quality due to the kit-built nature of many hulls.
- Low comfort ratio results in a lively, motion-active ride in heavy chop.
- Deep 5.6-foot draft limits access to shallow-water gunkholes and coastal canals.
- Cored decks are highly susceptible to moisture damage if hardware is not regularly re-bedded.
