Design and Construction
Capital Yachts built the 27 S predominantly of fiberglass with wooden trim, and the hull itself is hand laid over a solid laminate with a lead keel — a construction choice that set her apart from the cast-iron keels the builder used on other, lower-cost models. The raised flush deck gives the boat a standout profile and, more usefully, a stand-up interior with just over 6 feet of headroom. All through-hulls are bronze, though they are fitted with PVC gate valves rather than metal seacocks, a detail worth noting for any long-term ownership plan. The interior makes liberal use of oiled teak for warmth, but every horizontal surface is covered in wood-patterned Formica, a combination period reviewers found visually uneven.
Rig and Handling
The masthead sloop rig places the traveler forward of the companionway, which keeps the cockpit clear but creates a known handling hazard: friction between the traveler and its track makes it difficult and dangerous to adjust the mainsheet if it is under any significant load. Both the early and Mark II boats scoot along in light air thanks to their modest displacement, but both are tender, and as wind and boat speed build, so does weather helm. The 27 S was never a stout offshore cruiser and is no longer a competitive racer, yet she remains a capable daysailer when upgraded.
Accommodations
The most common interior layout places a V-berth, a head, and a small hanging locker forward of the main bulkhead. Six-foot settees run along either side of the saloon, and a table folds up flush with the bulkhead when not in use — under way, that surface doubles as a navigation station. Aft of the settees, a small counter to port holds the sink and icebox access, while opposite sits another counter with a recessed two-burner alcohol stove. Layout variations seen over the production run include a starboard quarter berth, a fixed dinette with raised seating fore and aft, and an aft-placed head. The holding tank is only 6 gallons, and the boat carries 14 gallons of water and 19 gallons of fuel.
Known Issues
The principal documented handling issue is the traveler-track friction that makes loaded mainsheet adjustment risky. The PVC gate valves on bronze through-hulls are a lesser but real concern for anyone inspecting a candidate boat. The 27 S is tender and develops weather helm as she heels and accelerates, which limits her appeal as a heavy-weather passage maker.
Refits and Ownership
Most 27 S boats came with an inboard auxiliary — either a gasoline-powered Atomic 4 or, on later boats, an 11-horsepower Universal diesel — and access to the engine on either version is excellent, which simplifies routine maintenance and future repowering. The 5-foot-2-inch-draft Mark II models offer an upwind performance improvement over the early 4-foot-3-inch boats for owners who prioritize windward work.
The Verdict
The Newport 27 S is a thoughtfully laid-out small cruiser with a hand-laid hull, lead ballast, and an interior that makes good use of her flush-deck volume. She is easy to move around in, simple to maintain, and quick in light air, but her tenderness, weather helm, and traveler design remind you she is a daysailer and coastal cruiser rather than an offshore boat.
Pros
- Hand-laid hull with lead keel and excellent engine access
- Raised flush deck yields over 6 feet of standing headroom
- Folding saloon table doubles as a nav station; flexible layout options
- Light-air performance from low displacement and fin-keel underbody
Cons
- Traveler friction makes loaded mainsheet adjustment difficult and unsafe
- Tender motion and growing weather helm as wind builds
- PVC gate valves on bronze through-hulls; only a 6-gallon holding tank
- Not suited to offshore cruising or competitive racing today
