Catalina 27
Built 1970–1991 by Catalina Yachts
About the Catalina 27
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1970–1991
- Builder
- Catalina Yachts
- Designer
- Frank Butler / Bob Finch
- Length
- 26.83 ft
- Waterline
- 21.75 ft
- Beam
- 8.83 ft
- Draft
- 4 ft
- Displacement
- 6,850 lb
- Ballast
- 2,700 lb
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Number built
- 6,662
- Stern thruster
- none
Originally sold with an outboard well; Atomic 4 inboard optional from 1972, later Universal diesels. Deep, shallow (3.0 ft) and wing keels; tall rig with small bowsprit. Displacement grew over the run (about 5,650 lb early outboard boats to 6,850 lb later). Also built under license in Canada. Replaced by the Catalina 270 in 1991. Builder brochure confirms 6,850 lb displacement, 2,700 lb ballast and 4.0 ft standard draft. Builder history: hull 6,000 built May 1985.
Known problems for this model
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Lower shroud U-bolt chainplates rigging
Some original lower-shroud U-bolt chainplates failed and cost boats their rigs; check that they have been upgraded on older boats. Owners also report leaking chainplates.practical-sailor.com · sailnet.com
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Cast aluminum spreader sockets rigging
The original cast spreader sockets have failed on several boats; they should be replaced with the later stainless fittings.practical-sailor.com
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Gate valves on pipe nipples instead of seacocks plumbing
Older boats have gate valves threaded onto glassed-in pipe nipples at the through-hulls; many owners have fitted proper seacocks.practical-sailor.com
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No backing plates; deck delamination and leaks deck
Stanchions and deck hardware originally lacked backing plates, so gelcoat cracks around fittings are common; owners also mention deck delamination and leaking ports and hull-deck joint.practical-sailor.com
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Underpowered Petter diesel engine
The late-1970s single-cylinder Petter diesel option leaves the boat badly underpowered and parts are hard to find; the Universal 11 or 14 hp diesels are preferred.practical-sailor.com
1 more
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Exposed early electrical panel electrical
Early boats put the switch panel on the port quarterberth face where spray and bilge water can reach it; later boats moved to a breaker panel in a protected spot.practical-sailor.com
Engines & parts
Universal Atomic 4 parts: good
Factory optional engine — you entered “Universal Atomic 4”
Tens of thousands were built (sources say from 40,000 to 50,000). Despite being out of production for decades, the engine is well supported: Moyer Marine sells parts, rebuilt engines, fuel pump rebuilds and exhaust parts, and hosts an owners' forum; Old Lyme Marina and others also supply parts, and electronic ignition upgrades are available.
Parts sources: Moyer Marine
Common problems (3)
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Raw-water cooling scale and corrosion cooling
Most Atomic 4s are raw-water cooled, so the block scales up and corrodes, especially in salt water; cranking without starting can also flood the engine with seawater through the exhaust.goodoldboat.com · moyermarineforum.com · keelindex.com
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Gasoline vapor fire/explosion risk fuel
Gasoline vapor is heavier than air and settles in the bilge, so ventilation, blower use and shutting the fuel valve (a stuck carburetor float can overflow) matter.goodoldboat.com
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Ignition and fuel system faults electrical
Points, condenser, cap and wires, plus gummed carburetors and contaminated fuel, are the most common reasons an Atomic 4 won't run well.keelindex.com · goodoldboat.com
Sources disagree on first year, last year, number built — left blank rather than guessed.
Model sources (5)
sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · sailnet.com · catalinayachts.com · catalinayachts.com
Other Catalina models
- Catalina 22 1969–?
- Catalina 25 1976–?
- Catalina 30 1974–2008
- Catalina 320 1993–?
- Catalina 34 1985–?
- Catalina 36 1982–?
- Catalina 380 1996–?
- Catalina 400 1994–?
- Catalina 42 1989–2011
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.