Sailing Performance & Handling
The F-27 is defined by its exceptional power-to-weight ratio and its ability to maintain high average speeds that outpace much larger monohulls. Its hull is a lightweight vacuum-bagged sandwich construction using foam cores and glass/Kevlar reinforcements, which keeps the displacement low. This light weight, combined with a generous sail plan, allows the F-27 to reach speeds in excess of 20 knots under the right conditions. According to technical archives from Farrier Marine, the boat was designed to be "self-righting" in the sense of its extreme initial stability, though it remains a high-performance craft that requires active mainsail management in heavy gusts.
Handling is characterized by finger-tip control on the tiller and immediate acceleration. The use of a retractable daggerboard and a kick-up rudder allows the F-27 to point remarkably high into the wind while also providing the versatility to sail in less than two feet of water. Unlike many multihulls of its era, the F-27 tracks well and does not suffer from excessive "hobby-horsing" in a chop, thanks to its fine entry and balanced buoyancy in the amas (outer hulls). While the Sport Cruiser version was the standard, a "Formula" variant was produced with a taller rotating mast and simplified interior for dedicated racers.
Interior Comfort & Variations
For a 27-foot boat focused on speed, the F-27 Sport Cruiser offers a surprisingly viable living space for coastal cruising. The layout features a main cabin with a small galley, a settee that converts into a double berth, and a private V-berth forward. A key design feature is the "pop-top" companionway cover, which provides standing headroom in the galley area when at anchor. The F-27 also includes an enclosed head—a significant luxury for a trailerable trimaran of this size—and an additional aft cabin located under the cockpit, which is often used for storage or as a cozy "crawl-in" berth for children.
Interior finishes typically utilized molded fiberglass liners with fabric accents, emphasizing durability and weight savings over heavy wood cabinetry. The sibling model, the F-27 Formula, often omitted some of the interior liners and the pop-top mechanism to shave weight, focusing purely on regatta performance. Later, the design was evolved into the Corsair F-28, which utilized a similar hull form but featured updated deck moldings and simplified folding struts.
Popular Mentions & Media
The F-27 earned a reputation as a legitimate offshore-capable vessel, a claim verified by its participation in grueling ocean races. One of the most famous exploits involving the model was Mark Gumprecht’s performance in the 1994 Singlehanded Transpac, where he sailed an F-27 from San Francisco to Kauai in 11 days. The boat's legacy is further documented by Corsair Marine, which highlights the F-27 as the foundational model that proved trimarans could be both practical for families and competitive on the racecourse.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers should conduct a focused inspection on several technical areas specific to the Farrier folding system and the age of the composite laminate:
- Folding Brackets and Bolts: The aluminum folding struts are connected to the hulls via stainless steel pins and bolts. Buyers should inspect for galvanic corrosion or "slop" in the hinge points, which can lead to structural movement under load.
- Ama Bulkheads: In early models, the bulkheads where the folding struts attach to the amas can show signs of stress cracking. These areas should be checked for moisture ingress or delamination of the core.
- Daggerboard Trunk: The trunk is a high-stress area. Inspect for impact damage at the bottom of the trunk and check for leaks where the trunk integrates with the hull sole.
- Rigging Tension: Because the F-27 relies on its shrouds to help stabilize the folding geometry when under sail, the chainplates and associated backing plates must be verified for structural integrity.
- Trampoline Condition: The nets between the hulls are critical for safety and deck space. If they are original or show UV-related fraying, they represent a significant replacement cost.
Community & Resources
The F-27 maintains one of the most active owner communities in the multihull world. The F-27 Class Association remains a primary hub for technical support, organizing "Safaris" (cruising rallies) and one-design racing events. Owners also benefit from the continued existence of Corsair Marine and the technical support archives of Farrier Marine, which provide original design notes and modification guidelines for the F-series boats.
The Verdict
The F-27 Sport Cruiser remains the gold standard for trailerable trimarans, offering a blend of speed, safety, and logistical ease that modern designs still struggle to surpass.
Pros:
- Exhilarating performance with 20+ knot potential.
- The most proven folding system in the industry, allowing for easy trailering and storage.
- Offshore-capable design with a strong track record of ocean crossings.
- Active owner community and high resale value.
Cons:
- Interior volume is tight compared to modern 27-foot monohulls or larger cruising catamarans.
- The "pop-top" is functional but can be cumbersome to deploy in inclement weather.
- Complex rig and folding hardware require more maintenance than a simple monohull.
