Hunter 27-2 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The interior layout is remarkably consistent across the production run because the design was built around a single, highly space-efficient floorplan. Stepping below, you find the teak and holly interior that was standard from the factory, lending a warmer feel than many small cruisers of its era. The saloon is organized around a dinette table that converts to form part of the sprawling berth arrangement, enabling the boat's headline figure of sleeping accommodation for six people.

The enclosed head with a shower and sink with hot and cold water is a genuine separator from other 27-footers, offering privacy that families particularly value. The galley, while compact, was delivered with a two-burner stove as standard. What you won't find on the used market are alternative interior arrangements—Hunter's design team settled on a single layout that maximized volume, and virtually every boat you step aboard will reflect this original configuration, though upholstery and joinery condition will vary widely with care.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Most boats on the brokerage market today have evolved well beyond their factory specification. An autopilot is a commonly fitted addition, reflecting the boat's use as a short-handed coastal cruiser. A Yanmar 1GM-10 9 hp diesel engine was a factory option and some used examples may carry this inboard, though the boat is normally fitted with a small 8 hp outboard motor for docking and maneuvering—a split that creates two distinct inspection paths depending on which propulsion a particular hull carries.

Among owner upgrades, heating is sometimes found on boats used in cooler climates, extending the season comfortably. A gennaker or cruising spinnaker appears on boats where previous owners prioritized light-air performance. Canvas work is a mixed picture: a bimini and dodger are owner upgrades that significantly improve cockpit livability but are not universal, so their presence—and condition—should be weighed carefully. A swim platform is a sometimes-seen owner addition, and where fitted, a stainless steel swim ladder makes boarding from the water straightforward. AIS transponders are a less common but welcome modern safety upgrade on a handful of boats.

What to Inspect

Begin with the hull structure. The 27-2 has a fiberglass hull construction with a fixed wing keel drawing just 3.50 ft. That shoal draft is a major asset. Inspect the keel-to-hull joint thoroughly for any signs of grounding damage or weeping. The internally-mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a wheel, with an emergency tiller demands close attention: verify the emergency tiller is aboard and functional, and check the rudder bearings for play by working the wheel hard over while a surveyor observes movement below.

Propulsion choice dictates your next focus. On outboard-powered boats, examine the transom cutout and mounting bracket for stress cracks around the walk-through reverse transom. On diesel-equipped examples, the Yanmar 1GM-10 is a robust single-cylinder engine, but its raw-water cooling system and exhaust elbow are predictable wear items; look for corrosion at the mixing elbow and confirm regular impeller service. The fractional rig with swept-back spreaders eliminates the need for a backstay adjuster but puts a premium on shroud tension—sight up the mast to check for inversion or pumping at the spreaders.

Belowdecks, the teak and holly interior veneers can lift or darken where deck leaks have gone unattended. Probe around chainplates, the mast step, and portlights. The enclosed head with a shower means a holding-tank installation that may have been owner-retrofitted; confirm its integrity and compliance with local discharge regulations. The standard automatic bilge pump should be tested, and any signs of persistent water in the bilge warrant tracing to the source—stuffing box drips on inboard boats or cockpit drain hose deterioration are common culprits.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The brokerage market for the Hunter 27-2 is concentrated in the United States and the United Kingdom. The design was built by Hunter Marine in the United States between 1989 and 1994, and well-maintained examples surface regularly on both sides of the Atlantic. Buyers should be aware that the model was originally marketed by the manufacturer as the Hunter 27 and is now usually referred to as the Hunter 27-2 to differentiate it from the unrelated 1974 Hunter 27; this naming nuance matters when searching listings, as the earlier and later Hunter 27 designs are entirely different boats with different characteristics.

When you step aboard a candidate, a short mental checklist will serve you well: confirm which engine configuration is fitted and whether it matches your cruising style; inspect the wing keel and spade rudder for grounding evidence; verify the standing rigging age and spreader integrity; test the head, shower, and bilge pump operation; and assess the canvas inventory if a bimini or dodger matters to your plans. The Hunter 27-2 rewards the methodical buyer with a versatile, spacious platform that remains one of the cleverest small family cruisers of its generation.