Its beamy 9 ft 2 in (2.81 m) hull provides more than 6 ft of headroom, reflecting the late-1970s drive to fit as much living space as possible into a trailerable-length monohull.
Design and Construction
Pryor specified a solid GRP hull stiffened by foam ribs and stringers, a combination the builder cited for strength and low upkeep. The deck uses a balsa sandwich to improve insulation against cold and condensation, while the fully double-lined interior also helps control condensation. Four coachroof ventilators serve the saloon, toilet, and hanging locker.
A moulded skeg supports the rudder. Buyers could choose either a fin keel drawing 1.49 m or twin keels drawing 1.19 m. Both versions have the same 2.8-tonne displacement and 1,527 kg of keel mass, giving a 49.77 percent ballast ratio.
The high topsides create an immense amount of space below, yet keep the boat notably dry without excessive windage.
Rig, Deck Gear, and Handling
The standing rigging consists of 6 mm stainless wire secured to internal steel brackets, which are through-bolted and bonded to the hull. Halyards run internally to deck-mounted turning blocks. Standard deck gear includes two halyard winches, two-speed sheet winches, and cleats.
Black anodised toerails, fitted with four fairleads, run from stem to stern. A combined stemhead roller and fairlead makes ground-tackle work easier on the flat, uncluttered foredeck. The 25 lb CQR anchor stows in a well beneath a hinged hatch. Double lifelines run from the butterfly pulpit to the pushpit, and teak handrails flank the coachroof.
Off the wind, the Leisure 27 can be sailed under a large genoa alone with fingertip control. Some owners report weather helm, but careful rig trim and early mainsail reefing can resolve it.
A tester writing for no-frills-sailing.com found the original 6 mm standing rigging still fitted and considered it slightly oversized. The tester also described the boat as not fast, but well-tempered rather than racy. Forum comments relayed by the reviewer attributed the generous interior volume to the huge freeboard, which they said leaves the boat vulnerable to wind gusts.
Accommodation
The interior is finished with teak veneers and quality furnishings. A sailor measuring 1.88 m can stand upright throughout the saloon and even in the forecabin.
The basic layout includes a dinette that seats five comfortably, with four additional berths opposite. A separate toilet compartment and hanging locker divide the saloon from the forecabin. Long tinted windows admit plenty of daylight to the saloon.
The full galley has a cooker, sink, and icebox, along with standard seawater and freshwater pumps. The companionway steps lift out to provide access to the engine.
Engine and Known Issues
The original 7.5 hp Volvo diesel Saildrive was never powerful enough, and many boats received the larger twin-cylinder 13 hp unit instead.
A tester inspecting one Leisure 27 found that its rudder had flooded, making this a fault worth checking on any prospective purchase. Weather helm is the other recurring issue noted by owners, though it can be managed through careful rig trim and early reefing rather than structural changes.
Systems and Ownership
Standard electrical provision consists of a twin-battery installation. The removable companionway steps make engine servicing easier.
With around 130 boats built and a simple, robust structure, the Leisure 27 lends itself to owner upkeep rather than reliance on specialist refit yards.
The Verdict
The Leisure 27 is a spacious 1970s cruiser that trades outright speed for standing headroom, a dry ride, and straightforward construction. It suits a couple or small family looking for plenty of sheltered-water and coastal cruising space without racing pretensions, provided the engine and rudder are sorted and the rig is kept properly trimmed.
Pros
- More than 6 ft of headroom and a genuinely huge interior for the length
- Solid GRP hull with foam stiffeners and an insulated balsa-cored deck
- Choice of fin or twin keels
- Dry hull with manageable windage
- Simple, owner-serviceable systems and removable companionway steps
Cons
- Original 7.5 hp diesel is underpowered; many boats need the 13 hp upgrade
- High freeboard leaves the boat vulnerable to gusts, according to owner forum reports
- Weather helm requires active trim and early reefing
- Rudder flooding documented on at least one inspected boat
