Cutlass 27 Buyer's Guide
The Cutlass 27 is a long-keeled cruiser designed by Alan Hill and built by Marine Construction in the UK, with nearly 200 examples launched from 1968 and a 1974 update that renamed the earlier Cutlass as the Cutlass 27. For a shopper scanning brokerage listings, she presents as a modestly proportioned, stoutly built glass boat whose charms are seakeeping and simplicity rather than interior volume or light-air speed.
Layouts on the Used Market
The class carries four berths split between a saloon and a forecabin, with 5 foot 10 inch headroom and basic cooking and navigating facilities. The interior is very plainly finished and reads as small and somewhat cramped beside modern designs, so buyers should expect a utilitarian belowdecks rather than a refined weekender. Above the cabin, the simple deck layout and spacious cockpit are consistent class traits, and the low coachroof line gives the boat her distinctive quiet profile.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Prevalence tiers in this market are thin: no equipment appears as commonly fitted or often seen, and the only documented extras fall to the owner-upgrade level. Some boats may have windvane self-steering gear, and a few show a modified main hatch or other customizations for long offshore passages. Beyond those, shoppers should treat any electronics, rigging, or galley additions as individual-owner work rather than standard class equipment.
What to Inspect
Documented issues center on three areas. The interior is very plainly finished and small compared to more modern boats, which some owners may find uncomfortable, so assess joinery and space against your own tolerance. The boat is significantly under-rigged, with less sail area than most similar sailboats, and that under-rigged condition can affect speed and performance in light winds, sometimes requiring more frequent engine use. Finally, the long keel makes her more difficult to handle in tight spaces or shallow waters and may show more drag and less manoeuvrability than a fin-keeled boat, so inspect keel-hull junction and steering for wear from any groundings or close-quarters handling.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats typically appear in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, and Ireland. For the buyer, the checklist is short: confirm the keel and rudder for long-keel grounding damage, judge the plainly finished interior against your comfort needs, and verify the sail plan and any engine reliance given the under-rigged light-air behavior. A well-kept example rewards the sailor who wants a stable, easy-to-handle sea boat over a spacious modern interior.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Cutlass 27. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 2 | $ 6,750 | — |
| Apr 26 | 3 | $ 17,146 | +154.0% |
Where they're listed
Cutlass 27 listings appear across 2 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 3 (60.0%), followed by Spain.
Country view
5 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $ 5,403 | 3 | 0 | 60.0% |
| Spain | $ 18,608 | 2 | 0 | 40.0% |