CAL 28 (the early 28) vs 2-27

Anyone care to venture a comparison of the sailing qualities ot these two boats? I'm looking for something in that size range and there's one of each available within a reasonable distance of home. I'll be mostly daysailing with occasional short (3-5 day) cruises in the lower Chesapeake Bay. I don't race but I do appreciate a boat with a decent turn of speed that is responsive to the helm, sail trim changes, etc. I know the 2-27 is a later design and presumably an improvement over the 28, but I'm wondering in what areas, if any, those improvements are manifest. Both of the local boats appear to be in good condition; the 2-27 has a diesel inboard, the 28 has a very recent outboard (9.9 hp 4 stroke). Obviously I need to take a look at them both, but before I do I thought I'd tap the experience of the group here. Thanks, David

Not sure about the differences between the two, but I can say the 2-27 would be well suited for what you are looking to do. I grew up sailing one on the ware river(lower Chesapeake. The 2-27 sails well and can handle the bay as well or better then most boats it's size. One thing I would mention about the inboard vs outboard is they are trade offs. We had an atomic 4 in our 2-27 and we could power through just about anything as long as the prop was clean(we cleaned it every month). I now have a cal 2-29 that has a 9.9 outboard on the back. I love it, but I am aware that if I get caught in a bad storm, I will have to sail, my engine will not get me through big waves/wind. that said, it is so nice when I kick the engine up and the speed takes off and the helm is very smooth. The 2-27 is a nice boat. My Dad sold Cal boats in Annapolis for a few years. It was the last cal boat he had and it was good to him. Good luck on your potential purchase. Jim East Coast Cal 29 sailor. On Thu, Feb 13, 2014 at 3:33 PM, <db… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: > > > Anyone care to venture a comparison of the sailing qualities ot these two > boats? I'm looking for something in that size range and there's one of > each available within a reasonable distance of home. I'll be mostly > daysailing with occasional short (3-5 day) cruises in the lower Chesapeake > Bay. I don't race but I do appreciate a boat with a decent turn of speed > that is responsive to the helm, sail trim changes, etc. I know the 2-27 is > a later design and presumably an improvement over the 28, but I'm wondering > in what areas, if any, those improvements are manifest. Both of the local > boats appear to be in good condition; the 2-27 has a diesel inboard, the 28 > has a very recent outboard (9.9 hp 4 stroke). Obviously I need to take a > look at them both, but before I do I thought I'd tap the experience of the > group here. Thanks, > > > > David > > >

I have sailed on both boats and have owned a 227 since 1987, the choice between the two is difficult since each has its advantages and disadvantages. The 28 is one of the flat top designs that gives great visibility for the helmsman and a wonderful deck for the crew, the mainsail track is located behind the helmsman with a large seating area over the outboard behind that for the main trimmer to sit. This arrangement does make it more difficult to single hand, in addition the very wide cockpit makes it difficult to brace yourself when the boat is heeled the cabin hatch is offset so that the skipper can brace on one tack but not the other. As I remember the helm is well balanced and is easy on the helmsman’s arm. The 227 has a high cabin top which restricts visibility but it keeps the cockpit dryer, the mainsail track is in front of the skipper which makes single handling easier but with a larger headsail you will need to adjust the mainsheet a great deal in order to eliminate weather helm. The cockpit is much smaller which makes it easier to brace yourself, but it is not as good for shore parties. The inboard/outboard question is another issue. I don’t think I would ever buy a boat with an outboard again the ability to keep the prop in the water with an inboard and the quieter engine are major advantages, but when there is an engine problem it is a major advantage to be able to easily remove the outboard and carry it to the shop for repair. Condition of the boat also plays into any decision, a major problem area with the flat top boats is water incursion into the flat deck, this is repairable but it is a lot of work. Good luck on your decision they are both fun boats. John B CAL 227 #650 Gotcha Again From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of db… [at] yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:34 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] CAL 28 (the early 28) vs 2-27 Anyone care to venture a comparison of the sailing qualities ot these two boats? I'm looking for something in that size range and there's one of each available within a reasonable distance of home. I'll be mostly daysailing with occasional short (3-5 day) cruises in the lower Chesapeake Bay. I don't race but I do appreciate a boat with a decent turn of speed that is responsive to the helm, sail trim changes, etc. I know the 2-27 is a later design and presumably an improvement over the 28, but I'm wondering in what areas, if any, those improvements are manifest. Both of the local boats appear to be in good condition; the 2-27 has a diesel inboard, the 28 has a very recent outboard (9.9 hp 4 stroke). Obviously I need to take a look at them both, but before I do I thought I'd tap the experience of the group here. Thanks, David

I’ve been in a 28, but not sailed one. I would say that headroom below (or lack thereof) would be factor for cruisers. Take Care Keep Warm Charlie Annapolis From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John Boyce Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 1:47 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [External] RE: [Cal_Boats] CAL 28 (the early 28) vs 2-27 I have sailed on both boats and have owned a 227 since 1987, the choice between the two is difficult since each has its advantages and disadvantages. The 28 is one of the flat top designs that gives great visibility for the helmsman and a wonderful deck for the crew, the mainsail track is located behind the helmsman with a large seating area over the outboard behind that for the main trimmer to sit. This arrangement does make it more difficult to single hand, in addition the very wide cockpit makes it difficult to brace yourself when the boat is heeled the cabin hatch is offset so that the skipper can brace on one tack but not the other. As I remember the helm is well balanced and is easy on the helmsman’s arm. The 227 has a high cabin top which restricts visibility but it keeps the cockpit dryer, the mainsail track is in front of the skipper which makes single handling easier but with a larger headsail you will need to adjust the mainsheet a great deal in order to eliminate weather helm. The cockpit is much smaller which makes it easier to brace yourself, but it is not as good for shore parties. The inboard/outboard question is another issue. I don’t think I would ever buy a boat with an outboard again the ability to keep the prop in the water with an inboard and the quieter engine are major advantages, but when there is an engine problem it is a major advantage to be able to easily remove the outboard and carry it to the shop for repair. Condition of the boat also plays into any decision, a major problem area with the flat top boats is water incursion into the flat deck, this is repairable but it is a lot of work. Good luck on your decision they are both fun boats. John B CAL 227 #650 Gotcha Again From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of db… [at] yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 3:34 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] CAL 28 (the early 28) vs 2-27 Anyone care to venture a comparison of the sailing qualities ot these two boats? I'm looking for something in that size range and there's one of each available within a reasonable distance of home. I'll be mostly daysailing with occasional short (3-5 day) cruises in the lower Chesapeake Bay. I don't race but I do appreciate a boat with a decent turn of speed that is responsive to the helm, sail trim changes, etc. I know the 2-27 is a later design and presumably an improvement over the 28, but I'm wondering in what areas, if any, those improvements are manifest. Both of the local boats appear to be in good condition; the 2-27 has a diesel inboard, the 28 has a very recent outboard (9.9 hp 4 stroke). Obviously I need to take a look at them both, but before I do I thought I'd tap the experience of the group here. Thanks, David

Thanks to all for the feedback! David