Gloucester 27 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Gloucester 27 is characterized by its predictable, forgiving nature, a hallmark of Harry Sindle’s design philosophy. As a designer who prioritized the needs of the recreational sailor, Sindle opted for a hull form that offers significant initial stability. This makes the boat feel "stiff" in a breeze, a quality often praised by owners in various regional sailing logs. The boat typically features a masthead sloop rig with a high-aspect mainsail, providing enough power to move the hull efficiently in light air, though it truly finds its stride in 10 to 15 knots of breeze.

The boat was offered with different keel configurations, most notably a fixed fin keel that provides a draft of approximately 4 feet, 3 inches. This design allows for decent upwind tracking while remaining shallow enough for many coastal bays and inlets. While it is not a dedicated racer, its displacement-to-length ratio suggests a hull that is light enough to be responsive but heavy enough to avoid the "twitchy" behavior seen in lighter 27-footers. Unlike its smaller sibling, the LN-23 (which often featured a swing keel), the Gloucester 27's fixed keel setup provides a lower center of gravity, resulting in improved sea-kindliness when encountering the chop of open sounds or coastal waters.

Interior Comfort & Variations

For a vessel of its era and size, the Gloucester 27 offers a surprisingly voluminous interior, often cited as having nearly six feet of headroom in the main salon. The layout is a classic "five-berth" configuration designed for small families or couples. It features a forward V-berth with a privacy curtain or bulkhead, followed by a mid-ship head—typically equipped with a marine toilet and a small sink.

The main cabin utilizes a settee on each side, with the port side often doubling as a dining area. The cabinetry in Gloucester-built models typically moved toward more molded fiberglass liners compared to the heavier wood-intensive interiors of the 1970s, which makes the cabin feel brighter and easier to maintain. The galley is located aft, usually featuring a two-burner stove and a deep icebox. One of the most significant variations found in this hull is the transition from the "Lockley" era to the "Gloucester" era; later models under the Gloucester badge often saw improved fit and finish in the joinery and more standardized electrical panels.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should approach the Gloucester 27 with a focus on structural longevity, as these boats are now reaching four decades of age.

• Deck Core Delamination: Like many boats from the 1980s, the Gloucester 27 uses a balsa-cored deck. Moisture ingress around stanchion bases, chainplates, and the mast step is a common "gotcha." Spongy areas underfoot during an inspection are a red flag for core rot.
• Hull-to-Deck Joint: The joint is a critical area for inspection. Owners have occasionally noted leaks in the forward sections of the V-berth, which can usually be traced back to the rub rail fasteners or a degradation of the sealant in the shoebox-style hull-to-deck connection.
• Rudder Post and Bearings: Because the Gloucester 27 uses a spade rudder, the internal bushings and the rudder post itself should be checked for "slop" or play. Excessive vibration while under power or sail may indicate worn bearings.
• Compression Post: Ensure the mast compression post (located near the bulkhead/head area) shows no signs of settling. If the cabin door to the head sticks or the mast step shows a "dish" shape, the structural support beneath the mast may have been compromised by moisture.

Community & Resources

While there is no longer a formal manufacturer presence, the Gloucester 27 shares a deep community connection with the National Buccaneer 18 Class Association and various Newport/Gloucester owner groups. Because Harry Sindle’s designs were so prolific, technical knowledge often overlaps with the Gloucester 23 and Newport 28 communities. Technical wikis and archival project logs maintained by owners are the primary source for hardware replacement specifications and rigging diagrams.

The Verdict

The Gloucester 27 is a quintessential "step-up" cruiser for the budget-conscious sailor who wants a vessel capable of more than just lake sailing. It is a sturdy, well-behaved boat that rewards basic maintenance with reliable coastal service.

Pros:

• Stable and forgiving hull design ideal for novice to intermediate sailors.
• Impressive interior volume and headroom for a 27-foot boat.
• Simple, accessible systems that are easy for an owner to maintain and repair.
• Shallow draft allows access to a wider variety of anchorages.

Cons:

• Aged balsa-cored decks are prone to moisture issues if not properly bedded.
• Not as fast or agile as contemporary "racer-cruisers" like the Catalina 27 or J/24.
• Limited production numbers compared to major brands make finding specific replacement parts (like original portlights) more difficult.