Rhodes 27 Buyer's Guide
The Rhodes 27 is a wooden Philip Rhodes sloop of just over 39 feet overall, built from 1939 onward with more than 40 examples produced in the United States and Germany. Any buyer entering this market is taking on a classic racer-cruiser whose age means the condition of the wood, not the reputation of the design, is the central question. These boats have crossed decades of use that reward careful inspection before purchase.
Layouts on the Used Market
Rhodes 27s follow the original accommodation plan: a pair of berths forward beside an enclosed head, with main cabin seats that convert to berths and a galley at the companionway foot. The boat sleeps four, and some carry the optional pair of pipe berths in the main cabin. Because the hull is narrow at 9 feet 8 inches, interior volume is modest and the layout favors function over sprawl.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Period Rhodes 27s were built as masthead sloops with just over 600 square feet of sail. The 1944 R27 model carried a bigger jib, and early-1960s boats raised the foretriangle to the masthead. Buyers should confirm which rig configuration a specific hull carries, as the masthead setup is the later standard. Any installed auxiliary power should be judged on its own condition at viewing.
What to Inspect
The defining reality of the class is that many of these wooden boats have been partially or fully restored over their long lives. At a viewing, look hard at the hull and deck for signs of past or active rot, and ask the seller for a clear record of what restoration was done and when. Press suspect planking and check fastenings for corrosion, because a wooden hull of this vintage that has not been kept dry will quietly lose structural integrity. The enclosed head forward and the berths should be inspected for moisture staining and softness at the sole and bulkheads. Treat any boat without a documented restoration history as a project until a survey proves otherwise.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Rhodes 27 appears on the used market as a restoration-tolerant classic rather than a turnkey modern cruiser. Before committing, walk through this short list:
- Confirm the extent and date of any wood restoration work
- Probe hull planking and fastenings for rot or corrosion
- Check the forward head and berths for moisture damage
- Verify the rig matches the masthead configuration
- Budget for ongoing wooden-boat maintenance
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Rhodes 27. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25 | 1 | $99,620 | — |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $99,620 | 0.0% |