Dockrell 27 Buyer's Guide
The Dockrell 27 is a 27-foot British cruiser designed by Ian Anderson and built by Dockrell Yachts from 1979, one of a family of cruising boats from 22 to 37 feet produced in the 1970s and 1980s. For a shopper on the used market, the appeal is a shoal-draft long-keeler with a unique winged keel and a practical cutter rig — but the range of completion quality demands a careful eye.
Layouts on the Used Market
Factory-finished Dockrell 27s were nicely finished and typically show a saloon and forecabin arrangement with up to five berths and a small separate heads and hanging locker. However, many were home completed and some bare hulls were sold, so layouts may vary from one boat to the next. A buyer should confirm the actual interior configuration rather than assume a standard plan, since the only constant is the two-cabin, five-berth intent.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On deck the boat presents as a proper cruising yacht with good solid deck fittings. Most examples carry a 15 to 20 BHP diesel mounted inboard. The cutter rig centers on a self-tacking boomed staysail for easy handling, with a yankee or genoa for light air; the mast sits in a tabernacle. Below, the cooker often slides out on rails from under the cockpit seat. Because market data on fitted gear is not itemized here, a buyer should simply verify the rig, engine, and ground-tackle condition on each candidate.
What to Inspect
The distinctive shallow winged long keel is virtually unique to the design and its flared base keeps ballast low, but the same shoal profile means hull grounding is routine — check the iron keel for corrosion and the hull-to-keel joint for soundness. Since many hulls were home completed, inspect the interior joinery and any structural glass work for quality deviations from factory finish. The transom-hung rudder and tabernacle mast should be examined for wear at pivots and mounts.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Regional availability is not characterized by market data here, so seek local brokerage listings. For a used Dockrell 27, the short checklist is:
- Confirm whether factory-finished or home-completed, and assess layout accordingly
- Inspect iron winged keel and hull joint for corrosion or damage
- Verify inboard diesel (15–20 BHP) and cutter rig hardware
- Check tabernacle mast and transom-hung rudder for wear
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Packet 27 | 26.5' | $ 29,500 | 39 | 12 |
| Moody 27 | 27.67' | $ 15,152 | 27 | 10 |
| Com-Pac 27/2 | 29.58' | $ 25,700 | 23 | 5 |
| Sabre Yachts 27 | 27' | $ 5,952 | 10 | 0 |
| MacWester 27 | 26.97' | $ 5,860 | 6 | 0 |