Sailing performance of E27? Bad rumor?

[Marc Beroz]

I'm considering an Ericson 27 as my next boat but I've read that it tends to be slow for a 27 footer. I want a comfortable coastal cruising boat but I don't want to be watching everyone else's transom recede into the distance. I'd like to hear what you think of the boat's speed. Just as a point of reference, the other boat I'm looking at is the Cal 2-27. Thanks for your imput.
Marc

 

[Morgan Stinemetz]

Harumph!

E-27 slow? Not here. Won Boat of the Year last year in my class in an E-27 OB, 1973. Competition, to be truthful, was light. But I regularly beat boats on a boat-for-boat basis that owe me time. The boat is good, sturdy and fast. Am sailing mine to Cuba in the spring. Cal 27s have never been a problem for me.

Morgan Stinemetz

 

[Seth]

Fast one?

The Eicson 27-especially the outboard version, have been aalways been fairly successful race boats, and amongst boats of similar vintage, are one of the best out there. The Cal 2-27 is somewhat more modern, lighter, and all things being equal(KEY POINT!) should be somewhat faster, however they are rated 35-42 seconds per mle faster. This means that on a 10 mile course, as long as you are within 300-400 (5-6 minutes) seconds behind him, you will win!

Nothing to be ashamed of with this boat, and if you set it up right, it will do just fine.
Good Sailing!

 

[Bill Hearsey]

Having sailed on both boats, I think you will find the Cal a little faster in light air and the Ericson better in heavy air. I looked up the NE PHRF rating and they show the Cal base rating 207 and the E-27 at 231. Remember the biggest factor in winning races, is crew and not just boat speed rating. A well sailed boat will usually win. With the 2 boats having very different interior layouts, I would not let the speed be a primary focus of your decision. Neither boat is going to be very fast, but either would make a great cruiser/racer. I have rebuild a Cal 2-30 and am currently rebuilding a E27. One big advantage of the Ericson, is that it will be a much easier boat to do repair work on. All the nice wood work and head liner on the interior of the Cal looks great, but will turn into a real pain when doing any up dating of systems. There is my 2-cents worth. Good luck

 

[Marc Beroz]

Glad to hear from you folks. My understanding too was that the 27 was a fairly respectable sailing boat. I was surprised when I turned up info indicating otherwise. At any rate, I'm mulling over a boat I learned of and appreciate your input. Thanks, Marc

 

[Fencer21]

Hello gents,
I bought an E27 this past September, this is my first boat, I have only sailed twice before, and one of those times was when I went out on my friends E32. While sailing I told him, "I gotta get me one of these".

That was in March.

Since then, I took a two day course in sailing after I had purchased my 1974 E27, I haven't quit.

Now, I'm certainly no expert, but I think the E27 handles superbly. However, I have nothing to really compare it to. As a first time boat for me, it's basically easy to handle, and I think it's fast enough, but there again, I haven't raced it yet. I'm still trying to hone my skills as a sailor, and here in Las Vegas on Lake Mead there isn't a lot of racing. But they do have them from time to time.

That's my two cents too. good luck...