Design Brief & Intent
The core mission of the Havcat 27 was to deliver high-performance multihull sailing in a package that remained manageable for a short-handed crew or a sailing family. To achieve this, Oudrup specified a composite construction utilizing a solid GRP layup below the waterline for maximum impact resistance, paired with a lightweight foam-sandwich GRP laminate for the topsides, decks, and superstructure to keep displacement to a minimum.
The interior finish is characteristically Scandinavian—restrained, practical, and highly functional. The layout features standing headroom of approximately 1.80 meters (nearly six feet) in the center of both hulls, which is rare for a catamaran of this length. Rather than trying to cram an expansive, heavy saloon onto a bridgedeck of a 27-footer, Oudrup kept the bridgedeck low and aerodynamic, utilizing it primarily for a spacious queen-sized double berth accessible from either hull.
The accommodation is split logically between the hulls. The starboard hull serves as the primary living area, housing a compact inline galley with a two-burner stove, a small dinette/sitting area, and a single quarter berth aft. The port hull is dedicated to navigation and utility, featuring a proper outward-facing chart table, electrical distribution panel, a marine head compartment forward, and a second quarter berth aft. The wood joinery—typically executed in warm mahogany veneers—offers a surprisingly cozy feel that offsets the starkness of the fiberglass hulls.
Variations & Configurations
While the fundamental hull form remained consistent, the Havcat 27 has seen notable owner-directed configurations and rig evolutions over its lifespan. The primary production variant featured a highly fractional sloop rig with a fully battened mainsail, a self-tacking jib, and overlapping genoas. Because of its daggerboard configuration, the draft ranges from a mere 0.50 meters (1.6 feet) with the boards up to 1.50 meters (4.9 feet) when fully deployed, giving it exceptional versatility in thin water.
Two distinct layout approaches exist in the wild today:
- The Standard Open-Bridgedeck Layout: This original layout prioritizes open-air living with a massive T-shaped cockpit. A folding wooden dining table is erected in the forward section of the cockpit when at anchor or in port, creating an expansive social hub protected by a canvas bimini or cockpit tent.
- The Enclosed Custom Bridgedeck Cabin: Because of the open cockpit's exposure to colder climates, several owners undertook significant structural modifications. The most notable example involved shifting the main bulkhead forward and constructing a hard, low-profile cabin roof over the forward portion of the cockpit. This modification turns the Havcat 27 into a fully enclosed bridgedeck cruiser with an indoor saloon, significantly increasing all-weather comfort at the expense of cockpit footprint and some weight.
Sailing Performance & Handling
With a displacement of just 4,299 pounds, the Havcat 27 is remarkably light for a 27-foot cruising catamaran. This lightweight profile yields a Displacement-to-Length (D/L) ratio of 134.08, highlighting its ultra-light, easily driven hulls. The Sail Area-to-Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of 14.28 indicates a balanced fractional sail plan. While it is not over-canvased in its standard configuration, the low wetted surface area and lack of heavy fixed keels mean it slips through light air with ease and accelerates rapidly in response to puffs.
On the water, the Havcat 27 behaves with the direct, lively feel of an oversized racing dinghy. The twin lifting daggerboards provide excellent lift, allowing the boat to point far higher upwind than standard mini-keel catamarans of the same era. The steering is exceptionally responsive, utilizing lifting rudders housed in cassettes that can be raised in shallow water.
Its Comfort Ratio of 7.26 and Capsize Screening Formula of 3.66 speak to its inherent multihull characteristics. With a beam of 14.86 feet, it is highly stable and resists heeling entirely. However, the low comfort ratio reflects its quick, energetic motion in a seaway. It will not roll like a monohull, but its light displacement means it will motion-pitch and dance over chop. Sailors must actively manage the sail plan, reefing early to keep the boat level and sailing efficiently.
Known Issues & Upgrades
Due to the age of these vessels, prospective buyers should focus heavily on structural integrity, specifically regarding the foam-core laminate used in the decks and topsides.
- Core Rot and Delamination: Like many foam-sandwich boats from the late 1970s and early 1980s, moisture intrusion around improperly sealed deck hardware can lead to localized core rot and delamination. Particular attention should be paid to the areas around the shroud chainplates and the front crossbeam attachments.
- Structural Upgrades: Many active owners have reinforced key high-load areas. For example, some hulls have had their original rudders, rudder housings, and aluminum front crossbeams replaced with stronger, modernized units designed for the Mycat 28 (a sister design by Oudrup) to handle the stresses of blue-water cruising.
- Propulsion Systems: The boat was designed around an outboard motor mounted in a central nacelle well. Standard upgrades today involve installing high-thrust, long-shaft outboards—such as 9.8 hp or 9.9 hp units—which can sometimes be linked directly to the rudder steering system to dramatically improve maneuverability in tight marinas.
- Safety and Ventilation: Standard refits usually include the addition of opening ports facing the cockpit and, crucially, a dedicated catamaran escape hatch cut into the bridgedeck. Additionally, replacing old wiring and transitioning the house bank to LiFePO4 batteries charged via solar panels mounted on aft davits is a highly common modification among the remaining active fleet.
The Verdict
The Havcat 27 is an clever, highly specialized pocket catamaran that offers a compelling alternative to traditional pocket cruisers. It is best suited for experienced sailors who appreciate a light, responsive helm and the ability to explore thin waters or beach their boat. It is not a condo-maran; it demands active sailing, but rewards its crew with remarkable speed, shallow-draft versatility, and an open-air layout that is highly social in warmer climates.
Pros
- Excellent upwind performance and pointing ability due to deep-reaching twin daggerboards.
- Highly versatile shallow-draft capability (0.50m boards up) and beachability.
- Standing headroom in both hulls paired with a massive, social T-shaped cockpit.
- Efficient, lightweight foam-sandwich construction that is easily driven under a modest sail plan.
Cons
- Motion in a seaway can be quick and lively, lacking the sea-keeping momentum of heavier monohulls.
- The open-bridgedeck design offers limited interior salon space in its standard configuration, exposing the crew to the elements in cold or wet climates.
- Extremely rare on the brokerage market, with only 25 original production hulls built, making parts and sister-ship advice difficult to source.
- High sensitivity to added weight, meaning excessive cruising gear will rapidly degrade sailing performance.
