Stiletto 27 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Stiletto 27 is defined by its exceptional power-to-weight ratio. Because it weighs roughly half as much as contemporary monohulls of similar length, the boat transitions into high-speed planing modes with minimal effort. According to historical technical data from the Stiletto Class Association, the vessel’s narrow hulls and retractable daggerboards allow it to point surprisingly well for a catamaran of its vintage, while the kick-up rudders facilitate "beachability" and shallow-water exploration.

In terms of handling, the boat is known for being extremely responsive, often described by owners as feeling like a "dinghy on steroids." The standard rig is manageable, but the Stiletto 27 GT variant—featuring a taller mast and increased sail area—demands higher levels of athleticism and attention from the crew. In heavy air, the boat’s low weight makes it prone to flying a hull, a thrilling experience for performance sailors but one that requires a vigilant hand on the mainsheet. The absence of a heavy fixed keel means the boat lacks the self-righting momentum of a monohull, placing it firmly in the category of performance multihulls where active sail trimming is a safety requirement.

Interior Comfort & Variations

Despite its slender hulls, the Stiletto 27 was marketed as a "coastwise cruiser." The interior layout is divided between the two hulls, typically offering four berths—two in each hull—often referred to as "coffin berths" due to their narrow, low-overhead configuration. While the boat lacks standing headroom, the central bridge-deck nacelle, covered by the iconic smoked-plexiglass canopy, provides a protected area for the crew to escape the elements.

The model saw several iterations during its production run. The Stiletto 27 GT was the high-performance evolution, while the Special Edition (SE) often featured upgraded trim and hardware. For sailors seeking more volume, the Stiletto 30 utilized a similar design philosophy but offered a wider beam and more habitable hulls. Conversely, the Stiletto 23 served as a "daysailer plus" version, retaining the trailerability and speed but significantly reducing the interior accommodations. The materials used inside were functional and lightweight, emphasizing the boat’s racing pedigree over luxury, with most units featuring simple gelcoat finishes and minimal woodwork.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Stiletto 27 gained a cult following in the 1980s, frequently appearing in the winner’s circles of point-to-point coastal races like the Ensenada Race and various Great Lakes multihull challenges. Its unique aesthetic even earned it a place in early computer-aided design discussions within the marine industry, as it was often cited as a benchmark for lightweight composite construction. While not a "star" of major motion pictures, it remains a staple of YouTube sailing channels dedicated to "fast-and-light" minimalist cruising, where its ability to outrun modern $500,000 cruisers remains a point of pride for the community.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Purchasing a Stiletto 27 requires a rigorous technical inspection, primarily due to its advanced (and now aging) composite construction.

• Core Delamination: The Nomex honeycomb core is the boat’s greatest strength and its greatest vulnerability. If moisture enters the core—through poorly bedded deck hardware or hull impacts—the bond between the skin and the honeycomb can fail. Buyers should use a phenolic hammer to sound the hulls and decks for "dead" thuds that indicate delamination.
• Compression at the Mast Step: The lightweight bridge deck can experience fatigue over decades of high rig tension. Inspect the area around the mast step for spiderweb cracking or visible deflection.
• The "Bubble" Canopy: The large plexiglass canopy is prone to crazing and UV degradation. Replacing this custom-molded piece is expensive and difficult, so the condition of the original acrylic is a significant factor in the boat’s value.
• Rudder and Daggerboard Trunks: High-speed sailing puts immense lateral pressure on the trunks. Check for stress fractures or water ingress around the trunk-to-hull joints.
• Trailer Integrity: Since the Stiletto 27 is a trailerable "folding" or "telescoping" design (the hulls can be pulled together for transport), the specialized trailer and the sliding mechanism must be in good working order. Rust on the trailer or seized sliding beams can render the boat’s primary advantage—portability—useless.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical support is the Stiletto Class Association, which maintains archives of original manuals, tuning guides, and a registry of hull numbers. For those looking for modern parts or potential new builds, the brand has seen various revival attempts, most notably through Stiletto Manufacturing, which has historically provided insights into the "X-Series" evolution of the design.

The Verdict

The Stiletto 27 is a niche vessel designed for the sailor who prioritizes speed and "beachability" over domestic luxury. It remains one of the most cost-effective ways to enter the world of high-performance multihull sailing.

Pros:

• Blistering Speed: Capable of speeds exceeding 20 knots in the right conditions.
• Trailability: The ability to move the boat overland allows for a vastly expanded cruising range.
• Innovative Construction: The Nomex core provides a level of stiffness and lightness rarely found in production boats of this age.

Cons:

• Spartan Accommodations: The hulls are cramped and best suited for minimalist "camping-style" cruising.
• High Maintenance Sensitivity: The composite core requires expert repair if compromised by water.
• Capsized Risk: As with all performance cats, it lacks the ultimate stability of a ballasted keelboat.