The Cutlass 27 Sailboat

The Cutlass 27 - an aft-cockpit, long-keeled sloop - was designed by Eric White & Alan Hill and built in the UK by Marine Construction Ltd.

A Cutlass 27 sailboat awaiting the start of the 2015 Jester Challenge

The windvane self-steering gear on the stern of this Cutlass 27, and the modified main hatch tells us that this skipper is planning for a long offshore passage.

Published Specification for the Cutlass 27

Underwater Configuration: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall: 27' 0" / 8.23m

Waterline Length: 20' 0" / 6.10m

Beam: 7' 8" / 2.34m

Draft: 4' 6" / 1.37m

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 6,496lb / 2,947kg

Designer: Eric White & Alan Hill

Builder: Marine Construction (UK)

Year First Built: 1967

Number Built: 170

Published Design Ratios for the Cutlass 27

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 13.4

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 50

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 363

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 30.1

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

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Summary Analysis of Published Design Ratios for the Cutlass 27

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 13.4 suggests that she'll need a stiff breeze to get her going. In any other conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing will be the way to go

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 50 means that she'll stand up well to her canvas in a blow, enabling her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 363, tells us she's firmly in the ultraheavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some of the most diehard traditional old salts.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 30.1 suggests that crew comfort in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate offshore cruising boat - most seasoned sailors can handle that.

5. Her Capsize Screening Formula of 1.7 tells us that she would be a better choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making than one with a CS rating of more than 2.0.