Design and Construction
What sets the Stiletto apart structurally is the use of epoxy-saturated fiberglass over a Nomex honeycomb core, the same nylon-based material found in helicopter blades and other aircraft parts, forming both the hulls and the bridgedeck. Each hull weighed only 220 pounds and the bridgedeck just 125, a lightness achieved through prepreg fiberglass cloth cured at 250 degrees for 90 minutes with vacuum-bagging to the core; Force Engineering used a blotter and 16 spigots to pull an even vacuum. Because gelcoat cannot survive this molding process, every boat was faired with putty and finished in polyurethane paint. The builder claimed a Nomex panel is stronger, stiffer, less brittle, and more puncture resistant than foam or wood cores at a given weight, and that the material is impervious to water so no migration occurs between cells if the skin is breached. The hulls are joined by a solid bridgedeck aft of the mast, with a polypropylene mesh trampoline forward and conical vacuum-formed polycarbonate companionway canopies.
Rig and Handling
The Stiletto carries a rotating aluminum mast and conventional crossbeams, with a single centerboard on centerline through a bridgedeck slot except on the six GT models. Older centerboards were wooden airfoils; later ones were molded fiberglass and more damage resistant. Rudder gear is robust, with strong aluminum heads and double lower pintles that test sailors found worked smoothly and positively. The early masts had only athwartships diamond shrouds, while later boats added a third diamond forward to control fore-and-aft bend in strong breeze. A ball-bearing mainsheet traveler was standard, though the original 6-to-1 purchase was modest. With the board up the boat floats in 9 inches, making her a true ramp-launchable trailer sailer.
Accommodations
Most of the 500 built were Special Edition models, which alone came with standard running and interior lights plus bridgedeck cushions. That version added a galley with sink, hand-pump faucet, and two-gallon tank, a self-contained head under one berth, and berths 31 inches wide yet 14 feet long—one per hull. The original Special Edition interior was fully carpeted, ceiling to sole. Molded benches run the length of each bridgedeck side, and the conical hatches admit light to the sleeping spaces. The Standard, Championship, and GT versions lacked this pocket-cruising trim.
Known Issues
The wooden centerboards on early boats are the one component noted as more vulnerable than the later fiberglass ones. The carpeted Special Edition interiors can obscure hull-access details, and the centerboard trunk slot is a unique feature to evaluate.
Refits and Ownership
The outboard bracket hangs off the aft crossbeam, a simple and serviceable arrangement. Later-mast diamonds and fiberglass boards are worthwhile upgrades if an early boat is being refitted. The light displacement and Nomex build mean repairs demand epoxy-compatible methods rather than polyester filler. Only six GTs exist, the rare variants; the Special Edition is the common cruiser-oriented form.
The Verdict
The Stiletto 27 is a lightweight, thoughtful performance catamaran whose aircraft-derived core and trailable draft make her a distinctive used-market proposition for the sailor who values speed and simplicity over creature comfort.
Pros
- Nomex honeycomb construction is light, stiff, and water-impervious at the core
- 9-inch raised-board draft enables easy trailer launching
- Rotating rig and positive rudders deliver lively multihull handling
- Special Edition provides genuine pocket-cruiser amenities
Cons
- Early wooden centerboards are less damage-resistant than later fiberglass
- Original 6-to-1 mainsheet purchase is lightly powered
- Carpeting in Special Edition can obscure structural inspection
