Design and Construction
The first boats were launched simply as “Cutlass” in 1968. The design was extensively updated in 1974 and renamed “Cutlass 27” after those changes. Nearly 200 boats were built during a long production run that continued into the mid-1980s.
Marine Construction built the Cutlass 27 with a solid fibreglass hull and stout but unsophisticated construction. A meaningful number of boats were completed at home rather than finished at the factory. Below the waterline, she has a long keel; above it, the deck layout is simple.
The Cutlass 27 is 27 feet overall, with a 20-foot waterline, 7 feet 8 inches of beam, and a 4 foot 6 inch draft. She displaces 6,496 pounds and carries iron ballast amounting to just over 50 percent of that weight.
Her Comfort Ratio of 30.1 suggests motion in a seaway closer to that of a moderate offshore cruiser than a lightweight dayboat. A Capsize Screening Formula of 1.7 marks her as a sound candidate for ocean passage-making.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Cutlass 27 has a masthead sloop rig, with 338 square feet of working sail in the mainsail and genoa. Her Sail Area/Displacement Ratio is 13.4, while her Displacement/Length Ratio of 363 puts her firmly in the ultraheavy-displacement category. She needs a stiff breeze to get moving.
Once powered up, however, the 50 percent ballast ratio allows her to stand up well to her canvas in a blow and power through waves. Tested behavior matches the numbers: she sails very well, with a light and sensitive helm, performs well across a range of wind conditions, and is a good sea boat that is reasonably quick and easy to handle.
The long keel contributes to that seakeeping, but it imposes a penalty in close quarters. She’s harder to manage in tight spaces and shallow water, with more drag and less maneuverability than a fin-keeled boat.
She is also significantly under-rigged, with less sail area than most similar sailboats. That shortfall blunts her speed and performance in light winds and pushes the skipper toward the engine more often than ideal.
Accommodations and Deck Layout
Below, the Cutlass 27 has four berths divided between the saloon and forecabin, along with basic cooking and navigation facilities. Headroom is 5 feet 10 inches.
The interior is small and very plainly finished compared with those of more modern boats. By current standards, it feels somewhat cramped. The cockpit, by contrast, is spacious, while the low coachroof and straightforward deck plan make it easy to move around on deck.
Known Issues
Three weaknesses recur in period reviews. The most frequently cited discomfort is the interior’s plain finish and limited volume, particularly for sailors accustomed to modern layouts.
The second is her modest sail area. Being significantly under-rigged makes her sluggish in light winds and increases reliance on the engine.
The third is the long keel. Although it contributes to her behavior at sea, it creates more drag and less agility than a fin keel when maneuvering in confined or shallow water.
Refits and Ownership
Some Cutlass 27s have windvane self-steering gear. A few also have a modified main hatch or other customizations intended for long offshore passages.
A meaningful number of the fleet were home-completed rather than finished at the factory.
The Verdict
The Cutlass 27 is an honest, seakindly, long-keeled cruiser with Folkboat-derived looks and a stout hull. She’s best suited to a sailor who values stability and offshore composure more than speed in light air or easy marina maneuvering. In return, she asks for patient sail trim and tolerance of a compact, plainly finished interior.
Pros
- Stands up well to her canvas and powers through waves in a blow
- Comfort Ratio and Capsize Screening Formula mark her as a capable offshore sea boat
- Spacious cockpit and a simple deck layout that is easy to handle
- Stout fibreglass construction and a Folkboat-inspired hull
Cons
- Significantly under-rigged; sluggish in light winds and reliant on the engine
- Long keel limits maneuverability in tight or shallow spaces
- Small, plainly finished interior that feels cramped by modern standards
