Pacific Seacraft Orion 27-2 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Orion 27's bones explain its bluewater reputation. The hull is a solid, deep V fiberglass shell with a wineglass shape that delivers a cushioned ride, and the lead ballast—3,500 pounds of it, a 35 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio—is encapsulated inside the hull rather than bolted beneath it. Above the waterline the boat reads as purposeful rather than pretty-for-its-own-sake: a raked stem, angled transom, raised bulwarks that make working on deck very secure, and a hull-to-deck joint formed by a double flange bedded in polyurethane adhesive and secured with through-bolted stainless bolts, then capped in teak. Decks are fiberglass with a balsa core, and many fittings are bronze, including the eight port lights that owners in 1979 described as heavy bronze units weighing 15 pounds. Externally-mounted chainplates bolted to the outside of the hull for easier inspection, a beefy six-foot bowsprit with a teak anchor platform, and varnished teak on toerail and hatches give the boat its classic looks without resorting to cosmetic excess.

Rig and Handling

What makes the Orion 27 a credible singlehanded vessel is the marriage of a conservative rig to a forgiving hull. The full keel is cut away forward to improve nimbleness and reduce the wetted area, while the attached rudder follows the keel aft; the boat sports a well-balanced sailplan that makes it fast on and off the wind. The cutter carries 508 square feet of sail, the yawl 452, and the sloop 424, and the mast is deck-stepped—a detail that demands attention to compression wear but simplifies the rig. Self-tailing winches assist when singlehanding, and the commonly seen full-batten tanbark sails suit the boat's seakindly brief. On deck, stainless stanchions support heavy-duty double lifelines, the coachroof is fitted with grabrails, and most boats were fitted with steering wheels though a tiller was an option.

Accommodations

Below, the Orion 27 punches above its 22-foot 2-inch waterline. Headroom is 6 feet 2 inches, and both interior options feature a V-berth, dinette, galley, head, and a quarter berth. The A-layout placed the galley to starboard and made the dinette functional because the table could be lowered and converted into a double berth. The C-layout was designed for long-distance cruising: the U-shaped dinette was scrapped in order to make way for a smaller dinette table and a wet loc, while this layout also increased space in the V-berth and created more stowage forward. Exotic wood cabinetry, teak-and-holly accents, and a holly sole warm and enhance both layouts, and teak and holly are used plentifully in the cabin. Ventilation comes from deck hatches and two dorades.

Known Issues

The Orion 27's construction is robust, but a used buyer should look hard at the points where age and load converge. Chainplates may need rebedding, and signs of wear caused by compression from the deck-stepped mast could also be evident. The hull-to-deck joint is well-executed but should be checked for teak cap deterioration. Bronze port lights are durable yet heavy and should be inspected for bedding integrity.

Refits and Ownership

Ownership centers on a simple, repairable boat. The Orion 27 was fitted out with a Yanmar diesel engine, typically a 16-horsepower 2GM or a larger 27-horsepower 3GM, with engine access limited from the saloon but easier from a watertight hatch in the cockpit sole. Tankage is generous for the size—70 gallons of freshwater, an 18-gallon holding tank, and 20 gallons of fuel—supporting the boat's long-passage brief without constant replenishment. The externally-mounted chainplates and straightforward rig make routine upkeep a owner-friendly affair rather than a yard-dependent ordeal.

The Verdict

The Orion 27 is a small boat with a serious bluewater pedigree, built in limited numbers to a standard that favored longevity over fashion. It rewards an owner who values secure decks, encapsulated ballast, and a cabin that feels larger than the beam suggests.

Pros