Small Boat, Big Keel Why This 27 Footer Works

Pacific Seacraft 34 and 37: https://www.practical-sailor.com/sailboat-reviews/pacific-seacraft-34-and-37/ What makes a small sailboat truly seaworthy? In this video, we take a deep dive into the Pacific Seacraft Orion 27, a rugged, long-keel cutter that proves size isn’t everything when it comes to offshore capability. Built by Pacific Seacraft, this 27-foot sailboat has the DNA of much larger cruising boats, with heavy displacement, an encapsulated long keel, external chainplates, and a conservative rig designed for real sailing, not dockside fashion. Inspired by the famous cruising philosophy of Lynn and Larry Pardey, this video explores why “go small, go simple” still makes sense today, especially if you’re thinking about cruising, living aboard, or traveling on a serious small sailboat. We look at construction, performance, comfort underway, and why boats like the Orion 27 are often compared to classic offshore cruisers like the Baba 30, just in a more affordable and manageable size. If you’re considering a small cruising sailboat, wondering whether you really need more than 27 feet, or curious why some sailors deliberately choose older, heavier designs over modern production boats, this video breaks it all down from a Practical Sailor perspective. Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/